One company aims to make virtual reality a life-saving technology by using it to assess brain function after a head injury. SyncThink, Inc., a company specializing in neuro-technology (the company has foundational intellectual property in eye-tracking metrics and devices), announced that its EYE-SYNC medical device has been cleared by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) for commercial use. EYE-SYNC is a head-mounted eye tracking device that allows for rapid, reliable recording, viewing and analyzing of eye movement impairment through the use of virtual reality. In just 60 seconds, the device is able to determine common deficits after a concussion based on abnormal eye movements.
The EYE-SYNC system includes the goggle piece and a tablet. The hand-held goggles are equipped with eye tracking technology. A dot moves in different directions on the goggle lens to determine if the eyes are moving simultaneously, looking in the same direction, and are able to follow movements. The attached tablet allows the assessor to see eye movement in real time and make decisions quickly based on the 60-second test.