Motorized head impulse stimulator to determine angular horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to develop a computer-controlled mechanical system for the generation of impulsive head rotations to measure eye movements induced by angular horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex. This is a clinical eye movement test recently introduced for the usage of otoneurological balance laboratories. We built the system and modified our prior computer software developed for other types of eye movement tests. Motor controlled stimulation has fulfilled the requirement of more uniform and constant acceleration stimulation than obtained with manually administrated impulses. After having executed preliminary experiments at our balance laboratory we found the system to be efficient, reliable and secure.