Wayne EngineeringDevelopers of Visual and Motor Skills
Wayne EngineeringThe function of the Wayne Spatial Trainer is to provide immediate feedback when testing and training at distance in real space and time. The instrument is used for testing/training activities, i.e. tracking, saccades, eye/hand coordination, phorias, tropias and suppressions.
The Wayne Spatial Trainer consists of a small hand held projector, which emits a small red Laser beam. When the beam strikes a bright reflective surface, it immediately emits an auditory tone. The instrument can be used for tracking patterns on either reflective or non-reflective surfaces. When the pattern is made with a reflective material, a tone is emitted when the red beam is on the target pattern. When a non-reflective pattern is placed on a reflective background surface, the auditory signal will be emitted only when the beam falls on the reflective background. No sound is emitted when the beam strikes (he non- reflective surface.
The Wayne Spatial Trainer consists of a plastic case containing a built-in non-removable battery (metal hydride). A black button located on the top of the case is for switching "on" the unit. The red light beam is projected from the small opening located in front of the unit. (Caution: eyes must never look directly into this opening). The small white knob on the side of the case is the Sensitivity Control.
Hold the case firmly in hand. Aim unit toward reflective surface. Press the black button top of the unit. The red Laser beam will be emitted and a tone will be heard when the beam strikes the reflective surface.
Caution: Do not point the Wayne Spatial Trainer towards your eyes; nobody should ever look directly into a Laser beam. A Laser beam is as bright as the sun. Looking at the sun for more than a glance can damage the retina. Lasers are currently being used as a watch fob, in pens and in toys. We are not aware of any reported cases of eye damage caused by Lasers. Nevertheless, we recommend caution when using any Laser product.
The small white knob on the side of the Wayne Spatial Trainer is the Sensitivity Control. This Control has been pre-set at the factory. It may require adjustment when the unit is used with reflective material other than those provided with the unit, or when the target is at too great a distance.
To adjust for distance, aim the beam at the reflective material such as a white sheet of paper. Slowly rotate the white knob clockwise until a clear auditory tone is heard. Then move the beam off the white surface on to a dark surface. The tone should stop, if it does not, rotate the knob counter-clockwise slightly until the tone stops. This may have to be repeated several times.
When the unit is "on" and no sound is emitted when the beam is shone onto a reflective surface, it may be an indication the battery.needs charging. Charge the battery only when the unit lacks sensitivity. To charge the battery, insert the plug firmly and completely into the charging connector. A full charge requires at least 16 hours.
Place the patterns on the board. Patient holds the Wayne Spatial Trainer with both hands. Press the top black button and shine the red beam on the pattern while slowly tracing over the pattern. When the pattern is traced without error (no sound is emitted), patient should step back to increase the distance from the board. To increase the challenge, unit can be held in only one outstretched hand.
Cut the tape into squares, circles or any shape and attach to the wall or ceiling up to 20 feet from patient. With a marker write symbols (letters or numbers) on the tape. Patient aims the unit at the target, presses the top button and tracks the pattern. An auditory tone is heard only when the beam is tracking accurately. Rapid saccades are developed when aiming at the different reflective patterns and producing an auditory signal.
For developing gross motor skills, we suggest using a large sheet of white paper or cardboard. Draw a large pattern using a black marker. The pattern should be at least 1/2" wide. Vary the width of the pattern according fo degree of difficulty required. Remember this activitiy must be performed in a slightly darkened room. If necessary, adjust the Sensitivity Control.
Patient wears Anaglyph (red/green) glasses. Red colored patterns are placed on the reflective magnetic screen. Patient aims at the patterns while pressing the "On" button. This is a direct foveal projection. Patient will tend to project the light in the same direction as the deviation. The eye behind the red filter lens will see the red light on the screen and the pattern. Because of the red, patient will not see the outline of the pattern. The other eye that is behind the green filter lens should not be able to see the red projected light. The eye will only see the pattern, which is colored red.
When the red pattern is being traced correctly, no sound is emitted. An auditory signal is emitted only when the pattern is not being traced correctly. This would be the response of a patient who is excessively Eso, Exo, or Hyper. When appreciable phorias are present, patient will attempt to correct them to stop the "off" track beeping sound. Use various size tracing patterns to increase the degree of difficulty.
Note: If the red pattern is still visible, add another red filter over the existing one.
The Franzblau Strabismometer may be used to measure the improvement in deviation corrections.
Remember: When using reflective material other than those provided by our factory, be sure to reduce the amount of ambient light. Target patterns should not be located near bright lights or outside windows.