IDEAS III

Showcasing the medical standard

IDEAS III ENG (electronystagmograph) measures and records eye movements using electrical signals from the eyes. ENG has been and remains the most widely used test of the vestibular system. ENG complements VNG by adding capability of testing some patient who cannot be tested using VNG. And, it remains the clinical standard.

Features

• Sampling rate : 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz.
• Resolution : 1 degree.
• Range : +/- 45 degrees horizontal and vertical.
• Inputs : 1,2 or 4 channels.
• Coupling : AC or DC response.
• Fully controlled by the computer

Integration with DiSoft

Only DIFRA offers integration of the IDEAS III with our DiSoft software (computer based ENG/VNG).

The basic standard years ago was the ENG (electro-nystagmography) system and there was no other clinical system on the market.

The ENG is a proven system with advantages and of course disadvantages.

Ten years ago, and after years of research, an new system arrived on the market : the VNG (Video nystagmography).

This new system uses a camera to record the eye movements. No electrodes, no drift, no artefact !

Some companies says that the VNG is THE system, but after 10 year ....

In fact, if the VNG has a lots of advantages, it has also some disadvantages !

For example, oculomotor test (random saccadic movement) needs to be recorded at a sampling rate of 175Hz, but, standard VNG systems are able to reach 60 Hz. Some high speed system are available but the price is not reasonable. The VNG systems are less sensitive to lid artifact and are not affected by electrical noise generated by muscles. Eye blinking gives artefact also with VNG depending of the quality of the eye detection, so the best way is to try it. ENG testing may still have a place for patients with very small eyes that cannot be tracked by video.

For persons who are buying a new system, we strongly recommend getting a video system. A single camera is sufficient for most purposes but it must be upgradable to binocular, oculography and ENG. Some IR video systems offer video digital recording of eye movements for training purpose or if the ENT doctor wants to review a special case.

In the following table, you will find a comparisson of ENG, VNG and VNG Freefield view.