Pupilary screening method and system

Abstract

A method of screening a pupil of a subject to determine whether the pupil reflex resembles a canonical pupil reflex is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of stimulating the pupil with a stimulus source. The method further includes the steps of using a pupilometer to track the pupil's constriction response over a duration of time, wherein the step of tracking the pupil constriction response begins substantially simultaneously with or immediately subsequent to timeand lasts for a period of time y, and using the pupilometer to collect a plurality of data points in which each data point corresponds with a diameter of the pupil at a specific time within the time duration y. The method further includes the step of generating a pupil data profile by compiling the data points and determining whether one or more conditions arc met. wherein the one or more conditions comprises the following: (a) more than two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at three or more separate times during duration y; (b) a first phase of the pupilary reflex response exists, wherein said first phase is characterized by a period of non-constriction immediately subsequent to time, said first phase having a duration of less than about 100 msec or greater than about 1000 msec; (c) if two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at two separate times yand yduring duration y, then the duration of time between yand yis less than about 100 msec; or during the first phase of the pupilary reflex, the diameter of the pupil increases before it decreases. Existence of one of said conditions indicates that the pupil reflex does not resemble a canonical reflex.