A New Device for Assessing Subjective Haptic Vertical

In otoneurology the analysis of subjective vertical perception is a useful tool to investigate macular function and central otolithic pathways. The Subjective Vertical is perceived using visual, vestibular and proprioceptive subsystems. In this work we propose a new device that can assess just the tactile/somatosensory subsystem contribution compared to other commercial devices that investigate the other subsystems. The developed instrumentation is made by a bar equipped with two orthogonally oriented Micro Electro Mechanical System accelerometers that transmit data to a remote visualization apparatus. During the examination, the patient handles the bar and must align it along the direction perceived as "vertical"