General features of the Saccadometer system

Diagnostic system Saccadometer is designed to research in fast eye movements (saccades) dynamic and latency. The system measures eye movements in horizontal axis with high temporal and spatial resolution. The eye stimuli, for subject's visual system stimulation, is displayed using miniature laser projectors mounted on the sensor forehead plate.

The visual stimulation allow to carry number of tests for fast eye movements (saccades) research. In all tests the system allows to set the number of executed trials or test duration according to the examination needs. The tests results (saccadic latency, duration, peak velocity and simplified position profile) are stored in the device's memory and can be reviewed right after the test is finished. The size of the device's memory allows for storing about 50 examinations providing that each examination contains about 100 trials. Stored results can be transferred to the PC using the optical-usb connection, and analysed there using the provided software.

Additionally the diagnostic system Saccadometer allows for continuous measurement of the eye movements in horizontal axis with parallel signal transmission to the PC using the optical-usb connection (in this case the data are not stored in the device's memory).

The diagnostic system Saccadometer comes in various versions described below.

Saccadometer Plus

The basic version of the Saccadometer performs a simple time and direction randomized saccadic step task, providing latency and velocity information. The device controls three laser spot targets with 10º separation. Saccadic parameters are displayed on the LCD during the examination and recorded for later transfer to PC. Device can store up to 50 patients data (100 trials per patient).

Saccadometer Advanced

Allows sophisticated task designs to be performed, including: reflexive, voluntary, antisaccades and centrally cued saccades with paradigms like gap or overlap. It has an extra green laser in addition to the three red ones. Customized experimental paradigms can be provided on the customer request (optional). Eye movement data can be stored on the memory card with 1 ms time resolution.

Saccadometer Research

Programmable version with 5 red laser targets spaced by 10º adding the possibility of performing more complex tasks, including the double-step paradigm. Experiments can be developed and tested using the PC software provided, and then loaded to the Saccadometer using a flash memory card. Eye movement and stimuli data are stored on the memory card for later processing.

Saccadic Activity Recorder

Equipped with a micro-miniature gyroscope measuring head rotation in the horizontal plane, this is able to record saccadic and head movement throughout an entire day on the flash memory card with 1 ms time resolution. The system is intended for monitoring a subject’s visual exploratory interaction with the natural environment in a non-laboratory setting.

Saccadometer MRI

The Advanced version adapted for the use during MRI examination and tested at 7T. The sensor is made entirely of plastic, with optical fibre connections and an electromagnetic noise-proof control unit, making this device interference-free for the MRI environment. The system is operated remotely from the MRI control room and can be used with all types of MRI scanners.

Tapping pad

Low profile twin sensor pad with zero activation force provides platform for testing motor performance. The tapping pad allows both mono and bimanual tapping tasks. The task modifying overlays allows for executing different sensori-motor learning tests. The tapping pad is interchangeable with the Saccadometer Advanced eye movement measurement sensor.