EyeTech Digital Systems is excited to collaborate with Mayo Clinic in the development of the OCAT, Oculo Cognitive Addition Test. Working in oculometrics where direct physiological signs of cognitive activity have been identified, the team of scientists at Mayo Clinic's Aerospace Medicine & Vestibular Research Laboratory (AMVRL) developed OCAT which now enables researchers to quantify and detect alterations in cognitive and oculometric performance.
Administered using a Virtual Reality (VR) headset or on a standard laptop, OCAT works by showing a test subject one stimulus at a time in specific, seemingly random locations.
EyeTech DS' eye tracker detects where the eye is focusing from one fixation point to the next. A normal test subject will show results of straight lines efficiently connecting one fixation point to another. In a patient with signs of impairment, these lines become altered due to changes in oculometric and cognitive performance.
"We feel fortunate to work with the Mayo Clinic team to develop this truly unique test. OCAT has the potential to enrich the depth of data that can be gathered to discover new patterns in a wide variety of clinical conditions. I am very excited to be involved in the launch of this technology which will significantly improve non-invasive diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. Furthermore, it has the potential to enhance operator safety across a broad spectrum of applications. EyeTech Digital Systems will begin by utilizing its existing distribution network to launch OCAT whilst engaging additional global partners," says Simon Prosser, Business Development Director, EyeTech Digital Systems. "EyeTech [Digital Systems] worked closely with our team to solve technical issues at crucial checkpoints and understands the physiology of the underlying testing paradigm," says Gaurav-Pradhan, PhD, Senior Research Scientist of the Aerospace Medicine and Vestibular Research Laboratory (AMVRL) at Mayo Clinic. "We are excited about it's potential to advance our understanding of clinical implications in different environmental conditions in the clinical and aerospace environment," says Jan Stepanek, MD, co-director of the Aerospace Medicine and Vestibular Research Laboratory (AMVRL) at Mayo Clinic.
Mayo Clinic, Dr. Gaurav Pradhan, Dr. Michael Cevette, and Dr. Jan Stepanek have a financial interest in the technology referenced in this news release. Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education and research.
EyeTech DS is customizing eye-tracking technologies for medical diagnostic companies to integrate this unique neurological test into their applications. Eye tracking technology is helping more and more medical professionals across the world gain a better understanding of brain activities in a fast and noninvasive way.