RU237177U1 - A ring trainer for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train the eye muscles in various conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to medicine, to the field of neurology, neuropsychology, and ophthalmology, and can be used in conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes in neurological patients with visual agnosia, as well as for training the eye muscles to prevent visual impairment when working on a computer, and exercises aimed at improving visual acuity in various diseases associated with impaired ocular muscle function. The utility model is a device consisting of a finger portion (1), on the outer surface of which a control element (2) is located, completely protruding beyond the finger portion, designed to fix the gaze and control the eye movement of the practitioner during the exercises, and the finger portion (1) is designed to place the device on one of the fingers of the practitioner's hand, while providing the ability to place and subsequently remove the device from the finger. Thus, the Ring Trainer is a compact, easy-to-manufacture, and convenient-to-use device designed for training both the central and peripheral visual systems. Its effectiveness is ensured by the fact that, from the very first sessions, the training process is carried out using an external device that facilitates eye movement control and eye muscle training. This allows for eye movement rehabilitation sessions with a wide range of neurological patients with visual agnosia, including bedridden patients, patients with impaired movement of one hand and impaired finger movement, as well as eye muscle training sessions to prevent visual impairment when working on a computer, and eye muscle training sessions to improve visual acuity in various diseases associated with eye muscle dysfunction. Moreover, the Ring Trainer further enhances the effectiveness of eye movement rehabilitation and eye muscle training sessions by allowing participants to carry it with them for rehabilitation and training sessions in a variety of settings.

Description

The utility model relates to medicine, to the field of neurology, neuropsychology, and ophthalmology, and can be used in conducting classes to restore the impaired process of eye movements in neurological patients with visual agnosia, as well as for training the eye muscles for the purpose of preventing visual impairment when working on a computer, and classes aimed at improving visual acuity in various diseases associated with impaired functioning of the eye muscles.

An important feature of the device is that its compact size allows users to carry it with them, making it possible to conduct exercises to restore impaired eye movement and train eye muscles in various conditions, such as while walking.

The process of eye movements is one of the necessary components that ensures the functioning of the human visual analyzer, in the functioning of which the normal functioning of the eye muscles plays an important role.

The visual analyzer is a complex neuroreceptor system that perceives and analyzes visual stimuli. It consists of three sections: peripheral (the eye), conductive (the optic nerve, optic and subcortical nerve structures), and central (the visual cortex) (Dictionary of Correctional Pedagogy and Special Psychology. Visual Analyzer, found online at https://correction_pedagogy.academic.ru/741/Зрительный_анализатор).

One of the disorders of the central part of the visual analyzer is visual agnosia, which occurs with damage to the occipital and frontal parts of the cerebral cortex, as a result of which patients have difficulty perceiving "noisy" images of objects and, with more severe damage to the occipital parts of the cerebral cortex, also real objects and objects.

The process of visual perception has a complex structure and can be disrupted due to damage to its various components.

One of the important components necessary for the normal functioning of visual perception is the process of eye movements that trace the contour of the perceived object or subject, and perform a number of other complex movements during the perception of various objects and subjects (Yarbus A.L. The role of eye movements in the process of image perception. Moscow: Nauka, 1965).

In the cerebral cortex there are two oculomotor "centers" that control gaze movements: the posterior "center" is located in the parietal-occipital regions of the cerebral cortex and serves for the reflex regulation of gaze movements, ensuring the act of fixation and tracking of a moving point, and the anterior "center" is located in the middle sections of the premotor zone (Brodmann's area 8) and is the apparatus that regulates voluntary translation of the eyes and active searching movements of the gaze (Luria A.R. Lectures on General Psychology, St. Petersburg: Piter, 2006).

Currently, various methods are used to restore the impaired process of eye movements in neurological patients with visual agnosia.

Thus, a well-known technique of M.G. Khrakovskaya is designed to restore the process of eye movements, their optomotor activity in neurological patients with visual perception disorders. In the early stages of work according to this technique, tasks are used aimed at restoring eye movements according to automated reading algorithms: from left to right and top to bottom, line by line. Gradually, during the course of classes, the volume of visual information and the complexity of the tasks increase. This type of tasks allows for increasing readiness for perception due to the regulation of movement and fixation of gaze. Further tasks are used aimed at identifying and classifying the details of objects according to given visual characteristics, etc. (Khrakovskaya M.G. Optimization of neuropsychological rehabilitation strategies using the example of restoration of visual gnosis. // Neurorehabilitation-2009: Proceedings of the I International Congress. - M., 2009. - P. 48).

The disadvantages of this method when used for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train the eye muscles in various conditions are:

a) this technique is based on the use of automated eye movement algorithms, without the use of any additional external means that make it easier for the patient to control eye movement;

b) this technique provides the possibility of restoring eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material;

c) this technique helps train the eye muscles that ensure eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material;

d) This technique is intended for use during classes only at a desk.

L.S. Tsvetkova's method is also well-known, designed to restore reading skills in cases of eye movement disorders. This method is based on the use of an additional external aid that guides the patient's gaze and facilitates the impaired eye movement process. This external aid is a special cardboard frame placed over a word, leaving the entire word or a few of its letters visible for the patient to read. The frame then gradually moves along the line from word to word, guiding the patient's gaze and engaging their intact kinesthetic senses (L.S. Tsvetkova, "Restorative Training for Localized Brain Lesions." Moscow: Pedagogy, 1972).

The disadvantages of this method when used for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train the eye muscles in various conditions are:

a) this technique is intended only for the restoration of eye movements in case of reading process disorders;

b) this technique provides the possibility of restoring eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material;

c) this technique helps train the eye muscles that ensure eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material;

d) This technique is intended for use during classes only at a desk.

Also known is the method of L.E. Selyavko, designed to restore the impaired process of eye movements based on the "Methodological manual "Linear simulator for group classes to restore the impaired process of eye movements and voluntary attention in neurological patients"" (Patent RU 109874 S dated 07/24/2018).

This manual contains worksheets in the form of circles connected by lines. One patient writes the letters of a phrase into these circles, while the other patient reads them, moving their gaze along the lines connecting the circles with the letters inscribed within them in different directions (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal). A pointer is used as an external aid to facilitate the patient's impaired eye movement (Selyavko, L.E., Neuropsychological Manual "Linear Trainer for Exercises to Restore Impaired Eye Movement and Voluntary Attention," Methodological Almanac "Neurorehabilitator" No. 1. Moscow: Sputnik+ Publishing House, 2020. pp. 52-55).

The disadvantages of this method when used for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train the eye muscles in various conditions are:

a) this technique provides the possibility of restoring eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material;

b) this technique helps train the eye muscles that ensure eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material;

c) this technique is intended for use during classes only at a desk.

Thus, the methods discussed above promote training of the eye muscles that ensure eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material, and are not intended to train the eye muscle (ciliary muscle), which ensures clear perception of objects located in space at different distances from the patient.

The ciliary muscle (ciliary muscle) is an internal muscle of the eye, having a ring-shaped form, which provides accommodation for viewing objects at different distances (Wikipedia. Ciliary muscle, found on the Internet at https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Цилиарная_мышца).

Accommodation is the eye's adaptation to clearly see objects at different distances by focusing the image on the retina. When viewing an object at close range, signals are sent to the brain due to its blurred image on the retina. Stimulation from the oculomotor nerve is transmitted to the ciliary muscle, which contracts. This causes the ciliary body ring to narrow, the tension of the zonule of Zinn to weaken, and the lens, particularly its anterior surface, to become more convex. The refractive power of the eye increases, and the image of a nearby object becomes clear. When the visual axis of the eye is shifted to a distant object, irritation of the oculomotor nerve ceases, the ciliary muscle relaxes, the ciliary body ring expands, the zonule of Zinn is stretched, and the lens takes on a flatter shape (Great Russian Encyclopedia. Accommodation, found on the Internet at https://bigenc.ru/c/akkomodatsiia-aba563?ysclid=m6tfpmbicu886157737).

Along with methods based on the use of printed aids, various devices and simulators are used to restore the impaired process of eye movements.

Thus, from the existing level of technology, a device is known called “A simulator for exercises to restore eye movements in patients in a neurological clinic with a disorder of the visual perception process” (Patent RU 153548 U1 dated 07/27/2015).

Structurally, this device is a plastic frame in which a sheet of working material in the form of various images (objects, labyrinths, etc.) is installed, and an eye movement control element (made of metal with magnetic properties) is installed on the surface of the sheet being used, under which a magnet is located.

When using this device, the patient moves the magnet so that the eye movement control element moves along the contours or other parts of the image being used, while tracking its movement with the gaze.

Thus, this device enables the restoration of eye movement within the plane of the worksheet. However, eye movement is a more complex process, enabling visual perception not only in a plane but also in real three-dimensional space.

The disadvantages of this device when used for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train eye muscles in various conditions are:

a) this device provides the ability to restore eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material;

b) this device helps train the eye muscles that ensure eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material, but is not intended for training the ciliary muscle;

c) the need to use additional materials in the form of sheets with working materials;

d) This technique is intended for use during classes only at a desk.

To train the ciliary muscles of the eyes, various sets of exercises are used, one of which is, for example, the set of "Visual exercises for relaxation and training of the ciliary muscle", which includes the following exercises: a) a mark with a diameter of 1.5-2 cm is put on the window glass, and the practitioner, being at a distance of 30-35 cm from the window glass, should move his gaze from the mark to some object located outside the window at a distance of at least 5 meters, and back; b) the practitioner should stretch his hand forward and look at the tip of the index finger, then slowly bring the finger to the nose, without taking his eyes off it, until the finger begins to double; c) the practitioner places the finger of his right hand at face level, at a distance of 25-30 cm from the eyes and looks with both eyes at the tip of the finger for 5 seconds, covering his left eye with his hand for 5 seconds, after which he removes his palm and again looks at the finger with both eyes for 5 seconds, then changes hands. (Ophthalmology Center. Eye exercises: ciliary muscle training, found online on July 5, 2025 at https://optika-r.ru/zdorove-glaz/uprazhneniya-dlya-glaz-trenirovka-ciliarnoy-myshtsy/).

The disadvantages of these exercises when used for conducting training sessions to restore impaired eye movement processes and train the eye muscles in various conditions are:

a) these exercises are not intended for training in restoring impaired eye movement processes;

b) these exercises provide training only for the ciliary muscles of the eyes;

c) in these exercises, the fingers of the practitioner's hand are used as an element for fixing the gaze and controlling the process of eye movement.

The use of fingers as an external means of fixing the gaze and controlling the process of eye movement is also widely used in various other sets of exercises aimed at training the eye muscles, for example, in the set "The Best Exercises for Restoring Visual Acuity", which includes the following exercises based on the use of fingers: a) direct your gaze forward, wait a few seconds, then bring the index finger of one hand closer to the center of the face at a distance of 20 cm from the eyes, and then slowly direct your gaze to the tip of the phalanx of the finger and hold it for 5-6 seconds; b) raise your straight arms forward at head level, then hold your attention on the tip of the finger of one hand, and without moving it, slowly bring the finger closer to your face until its phalanx begins to double; c) place the index finger of one hand at head level, 20-30 cm from the eyes and focus your gaze on the tip of the finger, holding it for 5-6 seconds, then cover one half of your face with the palm of your other hand and continue looking at the index finger with your unclosed eye, then perform the exercise with the other hand; d) slowly move the index finger of your right hand from side to side and follow its movement with your gaze, focusing on its tip, without moving your head (Serchenko O.G. The best exercises for restoring visual acuity, found on 07/05/2025 on the Internet at https://uteka.ru/articles/sovety/uprazhneniya-dlya-vosstanovleniya-zreniya/).

The disadvantages of using the fingers as an external means of fixing the gaze and controlling the eye movements of the student during exercises to restore the impaired process of eye movements, as well as training the eye muscles, are:

a) the difficulty of using fingers as an external aid for neurological patients with impaired finger movement;

b) the fingers have an elongated cylindrical shape, making it difficult to focus the gaze on them;

c) fixing the gaze on the fingers is also made difficult by the fact that the fingers, being part of the hand, are not separated from it by any clear boundary;

d) the means of fixing the gaze in various exercises is either the whole finger of the hand or its parts (fingertip, phalanx of the finger), which introduces uncertainty in the performance of these exercises.

Along with the exercises discussed above, various devices and exercise machines are also used to train the ciliary muscles of the eyes.

Thus, from the existing level of technology, a device “Trainer for the correction of presbyopia” is known (RU 138750 U1 from 03/20/2014).

Structurally, this device is a hollow tube with a diameter of 15 mm and a length of 240 mm with a longitudinal slot, while plugs are installed on both sides of the tube, and a ball with a diameter of 12 mm is placed inside it.

When using this device, the practitioner holds it perpendicularly at a distance of 15-30 cm from the eyes, so that the ball is visible through the tube's slit. By rocking the tube along its longitudinal axis, the practitioner sets the ball in motion. The ball moves away from the eyes and back, at a speed the practitioner adjusts to ensure convergence of the eye axes and bifixation of the ball as it approaches without causing discomfort. The closer the distance and the slower the speed of the ball, the more effective the effect on the ciliary muscles.

By continuously tracking the ball moving forward and backward perpendicular to the eyes for a short period of time and by using it daily and repeatedly, it has a direct effect on the ciliary muscles, restoring their tone and correcting vision in presbyopia.

Thus, this device provides the opportunity to train the ciliary muscles of the eyes due to the possibility of free movement of the ball in the cavity of the tube and tracking its movement through a longitudinal slot.

The disadvantages of this device when used for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train eye muscles in various conditions are:

a) this device is not intended for exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes;

b) this device is intended for training only the ciliary muscles of the eyes;

c) difficulty in holding the device for neurological patients with impaired finger movement;

d) the need to hold the device with both hands, which complicates its use for neurological patients with impaired movement of one hand;

d) the difficulty of conducting classes with bedridden neurological patients.

Also known from the existing level of technology is the device “Trainer for exercises to restore eye movements in patients with visual-object agnosia” (Patent RU 160587 U1 dated 03/27/2016).

This device is a handle movably mounted on a flat stand, in the upper and lower parts of which two groups of telescopically connected tubes are located, while the end of the central tube, located in the lower part of the handle, is connected to the stand, and at the end of the central tube, located in the upper part of the handle, a ball with a diameter of 10-20 mm is fixed, designed to fix the gaze and control the process of eye movement of the patient.

During the exercises, the device is placed on the surface of the table, and the ball is raised to a height corresponding to the eye level of the patient, who, holding the handle with one hand, begins to slowly move the ball, tracking its movement with his gaze.

This movement can be carried out in a plane either parallel or perpendicular to the patient’s face, or be of a more complex circular nature with periodic alternation of the direction of rotation.

At the same time, the patient, holding the stand of the device with one hand, smoothly lifts the ball by the handle with the other hand (pushing apart the lower tubes) above eye level, after which he also lowers it below eye level, as a result of which vertical movements are added to the trajectory of the movement of the control element.

Thus, this device provides the ability to continuously track a ball with the gaze, performing complex movements in three spatial coordinates.

An important feature of this device is that it provides the ability to work aimed at both restoring the process of eye movements, carried out under the control of the oculomotor “centers” of the brain (included in the central section of the visual analyzer), and work aimed at training the eye muscles (included in the peripheral section of the visual analyzer).

The disadvantages of this device when used for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train eye muscles in various conditions are:

a) this device is stationary, therefore it can only be used if there is a desktop on which it is installed;

b) this device is not compact, as it contains a stand that does not allow you to carry it with you for training in various conditions;

c) the presence of a stand limits the ability to perform movements of the ball along complex trajectories, allowing only relatively simple movements: left-right, up-down, perpendicular to the eyes, in a circle;

d) the need to hold the handle with one hand and the stand of the device with the other, which complicates its use for neurological patients with impaired movement of one of the hands;

d) the difficulty of conducting classes with bedridden neurological patients.

In order to overcome the shortcomings of the above-mentioned devices and training devices, a Ring Trainer device has been developed for conducting exercises to restore the impaired process of eye movements and to train the eye muscles in various conditions (hereinafter referred to as the Ring Trainer), which is an easy-to-use and compact device that provides the opportunity to conduct exercises aimed at both restoring the process of eye movements (implemented under the control of the oculomotor "centers" of the brain, included in the central section of the visual analyzer), and exercises aimed at training the eye muscles (included in the peripheral section of the visual analyzer).

The main feature of the claimed Ring Trainer is that its prototype is based on a widely used piece of jewelry, a ring designed to be placed on one of the fingers of the hand.

At the same time, the claimed Ring Trainer does not relate to jewelry and contains the concept of “ring” in its name, which currently has a broader meaning and is used to designate various devices fixed on the finger of the hand, for example, the “Universal Ring-Key-Screwdriver” device (Patent RU 40943 U1 dated 10.10.2004) or the “Self-massage Ring” device (Patent RU 2525822 C2 dated 20.08.2014).

A traditional ring is "a ring with a precious stone for wearing on a finger" (Efremova's Explanatory Dictionary. Ring, found online at https://gufo.me/dict/efremova/perstenny).

One of the typical traditional rings is, for example, the "Grant" ring made of silver with a garnet, which is a silver ring with a precious stone (Online store "Fair of Masters". "Grant" ring made of silver with a garnet, found on July 5, 2025, on the Internet at https://www.livemaster.ru/item/30616191-ukrasheniya-persten-grant-iz-serebra-s-granatom).

However, this ring (like other traditional rings) is a piece of jewelry and is not intended for use in eye movement rehabilitation and eye muscle training exercises.

However, when using this ring for exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train the eye muscles, it has the following disadvantages:

a) the side of the stone set in the ring is in a metal frame, which complicates the fixation of the gaze and the control of the eye movement of the practitioner when perceiving it from the side;

b) the ring is intended for constant wear, therefore it has a finger-shaped part (with an expansion near the stone), which ensures its more secure fixation on the finger, preventing accidental slipping.

Unlike a typical traditional ring, the claimed Ring Trainer, instead of a precious stone, contains a special control element that protrudes completely beyond its finger portion and is visible from various angles. This element allows for convenient fixation of the gaze and control of the exerciser's eye movement at various positions of the device relative to the exerciser's eyes.

Moreover, due to the fact that the Ring Trainer is not intended to be worn permanently on the user's finger, the design features of its finger section allow for its easy placement and subsequent easy removal from the finger.

The tasks that the declared technical solution is aimed at solving are:

a) the versatility of the Ring Trainer, which provides the possibility of conducting exercises aimed at both the central and peripheral sections of the visual analyzer, which allows it to be used in various areas of medical rehabilitation;

b) the compactness of the Ring Trainer, which allows those who exercise to carry it with them at all times to conduct exercises in various conditions, for example, on walks;

c) maintaining and enhancing interest in classes through the use of a new original device that makes the class process more attractive and interesting;

d) convenience of fixing the gaze and controlling the eye movement of the person exercising on the control element of the Ring Trainer;

d) providing the opportunity to conduct classes to restore the impaired process of eye movements in neurological patients with visual agnosia;

e) providing the opportunity to train the eye muscles to prevent visual impairment when working on a computer;

g) providing the opportunity to train the eye muscles to improve visual acuity in various diseases associated with dysfunction of the eye muscles;

c) ensuring the ability of the control element of the Ring-Simulator to perform various movements along trajectories of varying complexity in three spatial coordinates;

i) ensuring the possibility of performing exercises using the Ring Trainer with one hand;

k) providing the opportunity to conduct training with the Ring Trainer for neurological patients with impaired finger movement due to the possibility of its placement on one of the fingers of the hand;

l) increasing the comfort of training with the Ring Trainer for those who are training (without any impairments in finger movement) due to the absence of the need to hold it with the fingers of the hand;

m) ensuring the possibility of conducting training sessions using the Ring Trainer in various conditions in the absence of a horizontal surface;

n) providing the opportunity to conduct classes using the Ring Trainer for bedridden neurological patients;

o) ensuring the possibility of conducting long-term courses of independent training using the Ring Trainer;

p) the simplicity of the design of the Ring-trainer, which facilitates its wide implementation in the practical sphere.

The technical result of the claimed utility model is an increase in the effectiveness of exercises to restore the impaired process of eye movements and to train the eye muscles, achieved through the design elements and compactness of the claimed Ring Trainer, which allows trainees to constantly carry it with them for conducting restorative and training exercises in various conditions, and allows for conducting exercises to restore the impaired process of eye movements with a wide contingent of neurological patients with visual agnosia, including bedridden patients, patients with impaired movement of one of the hands and impaired movement of the fingers, as well as exercises to train the eye muscles to prevent visual impairment when working on a computer, and exercises to train the eye muscles to improve visual acuity in various diseases associated with disorders of the eye muscles.

This technical result is achieved due to the fact that the Ring Trainer is a device consisting of a finger portion, on the outer surface of which a control element is located, designed to fix the gaze and control the eye movement of the exerciser during the exercise, and the finger portion is designed to place the device on one of the fingers of the exerciser's hand, thereby ensuring the possibility of easy placement and subsequent easy removal of the device from the finger.

In the preferred embodiment of the Ring Trainer, the finger portion is in the shape of a ring.

In the preferred embodiment of the Ring Trainer, the finger portion is in the form of a ring with a slit.

In the preferred embodiment of the Ring Trainer, the control element is made in the form of a three-dimensional geometric figure.

In the preferred embodiment of the Ring Trainer, the control element is made in the form of an object.

The essence of the utility model "Ring-trainer for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train eye muscles in various conditions" is explained by drawings, which depict:

Fig. 1 - general view of the Ring Trainer;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the Ring Trainer.

The claimed Ring Trainer (see Fig. 1, 2) is a device consisting of a finger portion (1), on the outer surface of which a control element (2) is located, designed to fix the gaze and control the eye movement of the person exercising (a patient with an eye movement disorder or visual acuity disorder, as well as a person training vision) during the execution of exercises, while the finger portion (1) is designed for convenient placement of the device on one of the fingers of the hand of the person exercising, thereby ensuring the possibility of easy placement and subsequent easy removal of the device from the finger.

The term “gaze” refers to “the direction, the focus of the eyes towards someone or something” (Efremova’s Modern Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language. Gaze, found on the Internet at https://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/efremova/146522/Vzor).

The dimensions of this particular Ring Trainer indicated below do not constitute any limitation on the scope of legal protection, as they may change during the process of its creation.

The finger part (1) of the ring trainer is designed to place the device on one of the fingers of the user’s hand, and can be made of plastic or light metal (for example, aluminum).

In this case, the finger part (1) of the Ring Trainer can have the shape of: a) a ring; b) a ring with a slit.

If the finger part (1) has the shape of a ring, then its internal diameter can be from 15 to 30 millimeters or more.

The finger part (1), which has the shape of a ring with a slit, has a similar internal diameter.

The width of the finger part (1) can range from 5 to 15 millimeters or more, and the thickness is 2-4 mm.

The inner surface of the finger part (1) of the Ring Trainer is smooth, and the angles between the inner surface and the end surfaces of the finger part (1) are rounded, which allows for easy placement and subsequent easy removal of the device from the finger of the user.

In this case, notches (not shown in the figures) or edges (not shown in the figures) may be made on the outer surface of the finger part (1) of the Ring Trainer, facilitating a better and more secure grip of the device by the outer surface of the finger part (1) during the placement of the device on one of the fingers of the hand and its subsequent removal.

On the outer surface of the finger part (1) there is a control element (2) designed to fix the gaze and control the eye movement of the person exercising (a patient with impaired eye movement or visual acuity, as well as a person training vision) during the performance of exercises aimed at restoring the impaired process of eye movement or training the eye muscles.

The control element (2) can be fastened to the outer surface of the finger part (1) for example by means of a threaded connection: a) when the control element (2) has a recess with an internal thread which is screwed onto a projection with an external thread made on the outer surface of the finger part (1); b) when the control element (2) has a projection with an external thread intended for screwing into the internal thread of a hole made in the finger part (1).

The control element (2) can be attached to the outer surface of the finger part (1) in any other way, for example, by means of an adhesive connection.

In addition, the finger part (1) with the control element (2) can be made as a single integral structure made of plastic, metal or other material.

The control element (2) of the Ring Trainer can be made in the form of:

a) a three-dimensional geometric figure, for example, a ball (see Fig. 1, 2), a polyhedron (dodecahedron, icosahedron, spherical polyhedron), etc.;

b) a three-dimensional object, for example, in the form of an apple, a flower, etc.;

c) any other object that provides the ability to fix the gaze and control the eye movements of the person performing the exercises.

The term "polyhedron" refers to a closed surface composed of polygons. There are different types of polyhedrons, such as the dodecahedron (a twelve-sided polyhedron), the icosahedron (an icosahedron), and so on. (Wikipedia: Polyhedron, found online at https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Многогранник.)

The term "spherical polyhedron" refers to a tessellation of a sphere in which the surface is divided by large arcs into bounded regions called spherical polygons. The most famous example of a spherical polyhedron is the soccer ball (Wikipedia: Spherical polyhedron, found online at https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical polyhedron).

The term "object" refers to any specific material phenomenon perceived by the senses and thought as something distinctly existing. Seeing an object. An animate or inanimate object. Discovering an object, etc. (Website: Academician. Encyclopedic Dictionary. Object, found online at https://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/es/45885/predmet).

If the control element (2) is made in the form of a ball, its diameter can range from 15 to 30 millimeters or more.

If the control element (2) is made in the form of some other three-dimensional geometric figure or in the form of an object, then its length, width and height are within the range of 15 to 30 millimeters or more.

The control element (2) can be made of plastic (transparent, translucent or opaque), metal, wood, rubber or other material.

The outer surface of the control element (2) may be matte or glossy. Its outer surface may be coated in any color or a combination of several different colors. Various graphic elements, such as dots, lines, geometric shapes, symbols (letters, numbers), and others, may also be applied to its outer surface. These elements may be arranged randomly or in a manner consistent with the appearance of an object, such as a soccer ball.

If the control element (2) is made in the form of a three-dimensional geometric figure or object, it can be monolithic or hollow.

If the control element (2) is made of plastic and is hollow, shaped like a three-dimensional geometric figure or object, it may be additionally equipped with internal illumination consisting of an internally mounted LED and a coin-cell battery, as well as a switch located, for example, on its surface. However, illumination of the control element (2) is not a mandatory design element of the Ring Trainer.

Thus, unlike the traditional rings with precious stones discussed above, the control element (2) of the Ring Trainer is completely external (beyond the finger part), providing the ability to conveniently fix the gaze and control the movement of the eyes of the practitioner at various positions of the device relative to the eyes of the practitioner.

Moreover, the design elements of the declared Ring-Simulator provide:

a) the convenience of conducting classes to restore the impaired process of eye movements or to train the eye muscles due to the presence of an external means in the form of a control element (2) designed to fix the gaze and control the eye movements of the person practicing;

b) increasing the effectiveness of recovery and training sessions due to the compactness of the Ring Trainer, which allows trainees to carry it with them for training in various conditions;

c) the possibility of conducting classes with neurological patients with impaired movement of one of the hands due to the fact that work with the “Ring Trainer” is carried out with one hand;

d) the possibility of conducting classes for neurological patients with impaired finger movement due to the secure placement of the Ring Trainer on one of the fingers of the patient’s hand;

d) increasing the comfort of training for those who do not have any impairments in finger movement, due to the absence of the need to hold the Ring Trainer with the fingers of the hand;

e) the possibility of implementing various movements by the control element of the Ring-Simulator along various spatial trajectories of any degree of complexity;

g) the possibility of using the Ring Trainer in various conditions, in the absence of a horizontal surface;

c) the possibility of conducting classes using the Ring Trainer with bedridden neurological patients;

i) the simplicity of the design of the Ring-trainer, which facilitates its wide implementation in the practical sphere.

Work with the Ring Trainer device for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train eye muscles in various conditions is carried out using methods determined by the objectives of the restorative or training exercises.

Unlike traditional rings, the Ring Trainer is not intended to be worn permanently on the finger due to the features of the control element (1), which protrudes completely beyond the finger part, allowing it to be perceived from different sides at different positions of the device relative to the eyes of the user.

Moreover, thanks to the compact size of the Ring Trainer, trainees can carry it with them at all times (for example, in a bag) to conduct exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes or train the eye muscles in various conditions.

Restoration of the eye movement process in patients with visual agnosia

The relevance of using the Ring Trainer during training sessions to restore the impaired process of eye movements in neurological patients with visual agnosia is due to the fact that most existing trainers and manuals provide the ability to restore eye movements only in the plane of the sheet with the working material, in contrast to which the Ring Trainer provides the ability to restore eye movements in real three-dimensional space.

Classes to restore the impaired process of eye movements in neurological patients with visual agnosia are conducted under the guidance of a neuropsychologist or other specialist in this field.

During a course of exercises to restore impaired eye movement, the specialist demonstrates various types of exercises to the patient, teaching him how to independently use the Ring Trainer.

If the patient has impaired finger movement, the specialist helps the patient place the Ring Trainer on one of the fingers of his hand (left or right), after which the patient can lightly squeeze the fingers of the hand to better secure the device.

Each of the six types of exercises described below is based on the use of a control element (2) of the Ring Trainer, located on one of the fingers of the patient’s hand (left or right), for example, on the thumb or the index finger, to fix the patient’s gaze and control the patient’s eye movements.

The first type of exercise involves the simplest movements of the control element (2) in a plane positioned in front of the patient's face at arm's length. For example, movements left and right, up and down, movements along the diagonals of a rectangle, etc.

When performing these exercises, the patient makes slow, even movements with the hand holding the Ring Trainer in the directions described above, tracking the movement of the control element (2) with their gaze, without straining their eyes or moving their head. The specialist monitors the patient's performance of these exercises to ensure smooth and calm movements, and that the maximum deflection of the control element (2) is comfortable for the patient (this also applies to other types of exercises).

The second type of exercise involves the patient positioning the hand with the Ring Trainer so that the control element (2) is motionless in front of their face at arm's length. Then, while looking at the control element (2), the patient performs smooth, gentle head movements left and right, up and down, and so on, under the supervision of a specialist.

The third type of exercise is a more complex version of the first type of exercise and involves more complex movements of the control element (2), which are performed in a plane located approximately an arm's length in front of the patient's face. For example, circular movements (clockwise and counterclockwise), movements along the contour of a horizontal figure eight (clockwise and counterclockwise), etc.

The fourth type of exercise is a more complex version of the second type. The patient positions the hand with the Ring Trainer so that the control element (2) is motionless in front of their face at arm's length. Next, the patient, looking at the control element (2), carefully performs more complex head movements, such as circular movements (clockwise and counterclockwise), horizontal figure-eight movements (clockwise and counterclockwise), and others, all under the supervision of a specialist.

The fifth type of exercise involves movements of the control element (2), which are performed in a vertical plane perpendicular to the center of the patient's face. For example, linear movements away from the patient's face and back, circular movements (clockwise and counterclockwise), etc.

The sixth type of exercise involves more complex trajectories of the control element (2), performed not in a single plane, as in the first, third, and fifth types of exercises, but in three-dimensional space. For example, movements along the contour of an imaginary ball or some other three-dimensional figure, etc.

The above-described types of exercises using the Ring Trainer vary in their degree of difficulty and are gradually incorporated into the training process by the specialist, taking into account the degree of the patient's eye movement impairment and his ability to perform certain eye movements.

Each exercise is repeated by the patient, depending on his condition, from two to five times, with certain breaks, the duration of which is determined by a specialist.

After mastering the use of these exercises under the guidance of a specialist, the patient is given the opportunity to conduct independent exercises in various conditions using the Ring Trainer, which he can carry with him.

As the patient achieves positive results in restoring the process of eye movements, a gradual increase in the number of exercises of the sixth type is carried out, which are distinguished by a more complex trajectory of movements of the control element (2).

Eye muscle training to prevent vision problems

The relevance of using the Ring Trainer for training the eye muscles for the purpose of preventing visual impairment is due to the fact that currently, work, study, and other activities of most people are connected with a computer, the active use of which contributes to the development of computer vision syndrome.

A computer user's visual performance and visual fatigue are closely linked to their accommodation (the ability of the visual apparatus to focus on objects located at different distances) and convergence (the convergence of the visual axes of both eyes on a fixed object). The development of computer vision syndrome is based on the mechanism of overstrain of the accommodative apparatus of the eye. Because text on electronic media is not presented as continuous lines, but consists of scattered dots and pixels, images on electronic media and paper differ greatly, and the eyes are unable to maintain focus. This leads to disruption of the function and uneven contraction of the muscle that provides accommodation (ciliary muscle) and the development of accommodation spasm (A.I. Oleynik. Computer vision syndrome, found on 07/05/2025 on the Internet at https://gkb-23.ru/tag/elektrostimulyatsiya-tsiliarnoj-myshtsy/).

One of the ways to combat computer vision syndrome is visual gymnastics, based on regularly performing a set of exercises to relieve eye strain: a) look alternately to the right and left, focusing on each point for 1-2 seconds; b) look alternately up and down, focusing on each point for 1-2 seconds; c) perform circular movements with your eyes, first clockwise, then counterclockwise; d) open and close your eyes sufficiently intensively; e) look alternately diagonally up to the right and down to the left, up to the left and down to the right, focusing on each point for 1-2 seconds; e) bring the index finger of the hand closer to the nose, focusing the gaze on the tip of the finger, thus bringing the eyes to the nose and fixing the gaze for 1-2 seconds (Daria Lebedinets. How working at a computer affects vision, found on 07/05/2025 on the Internet at https://oft.nika-nn.ru/articles/kak-rabota-za-kompyuterom-vliyaet-na-zrenie/?ysclid=m6xq31ajuc266778241).

The developed Ring Trainer facilitates the performance of this and similar sets of exercises based on eye movement, making their performance more convenient and comfortable due to the presence of a control element (2), which the trainee follows with his gaze during the performance of these exercises.

The importance of the Ring Trainer is that exercisers can carry it with them at all times and use it to conduct exercises in various conditions, for example, while walking.

Moreover, the Ring Trainer is particularly relevant for conducting visual gymnastics for neurological patients during classes on restoring impaired mental functions using computer technologies, which are widely used in the practice of neuropsychological rehabilitation of patients with organic brain damage (Selyavko L.E., Tsvetkova L.S. Computer technologies in rehabilitation training. Bulletin of Moscow University. Series 14, Psychology. 2006. No. 2. Pp. 71-78).

This is due to the fact that the visual system of neurological patients is more susceptible to the effects of a computer monitor and therefore has a greater need for rest and preventative training.

The use of the Ring Trainer during exercises aimed at training the eye muscles for the prevention of visual impairments is carried out through visual gymnastics exercises to overcome computer vision syndrome and various other exercises similar to the exercises described above aimed at restoring the process of eye movements in neurological patients with visual agnosia.

The main differences between training sessions aimed at training the eye muscles to prevent visual impairment in computer vision syndrome and sessions aimed at restoring the eye movement process in neurological patients with visual agnosia are:

a) shorter classes, if they are held more regularly;

b) the use of additional exercises that promote better eye function: blinking, eye massage, etc.;

c) some increase in the number of exercises of the fifth and sixth types, which contribute to training the ciliary muscle.

All exercises performed using the Ring Trainer should be performed slowly, calmly, smoothly, without straining the eye muscles.

Along with exercises aimed at training the eye muscles to prevent visual impairment when working on a computer, the Ring Trainer can be effectively used to prevent visual impairment during any other activity that involves prolonged fixation of the gaze on objects located close to the eyes, such as reading books, writing on a piece of paper, drawing, etc.

Eye muscle training to improve visual acuity

The relevance of using the Ring Trainer for training the eye muscles in order to improve visual acuity is due to the fact that various diseases associated with impaired functioning of the eye muscles have become widespread at present, the most common of which are myopia and presbyopia.

Eye muscle training sessions to improve visual acuity are conducted under the guidance of an ophthalmologist or other specialist in this field.

Various exercise programs are currently available, such as the "Vision Restoration Exercises" program, which improve visual acuity through specific exercises aimed at restoring eye muscle tone and improving the condition of the visual apparatus. Regularly performing these exercises helps relieve tension and oxygenate the eye tissue, thereby improving visual acuity, relieving tension in the frontal lobe, and stimulating the tear ducts. This program includes a blinking exercise, which improves blood circulation, and an eye squeeze exercise, which helps relieve tension. Eyelid massage, which improves the circulation of ocular fluid, etc. This complex also includes exercises that involve "drawing" images of a figure eight, arrows in different directions, the letter "S", etc. with the eyes. It is recommended to print these images on a sheet of paper and use them as eye movement trajectories during the exercises (Ophthalmological Clinic. V.A. Parshina. Exercises for vision restoration, found on July 5, 2025, on the Internet at https://www.sfe.ru/info/stati/uprazhneniya-dlya-vosstanovleniya-zreni/).

The developed Ring Trainer facilitates the performance of this and similar sets of exercises (for example, the set “The Best Exercises for Restoring Visual Acuity” described above) based on eye movements, making their performance more convenient and comfortable due to the presence of a control element (2), the movement of which the trainee follows with his gaze during the performance of these exercises.

The Ring Trainer is particularly useful for training eye muscles to improve visual acuity, as it allows practitioners to carry it with them at all times and use it for training in various conditions, such as while out and about.

The use of the Ring Trainer during exercises aimed at training the eye muscles to improve visual acuity is carried out through a set of special exercises to improve visual acuity, and various exercises similar to the exercises described above aimed at restoring the process of eye movements in neurological patients with visual agnosia and exercises to train the eye muscles to prevent visual impairment.

The main difference between training the eye muscles to improve visual acuity and training for the prevention of visual impairment is:

a) increasing the duration of classes;

b) increasing the number of additional exercises aimed at relieving tension, improving blood circulation in the eye, etc.;

c) increasing the number of exercises of the fifth and sixth types, which contribute to training the ciliary muscle.

Along with exercises aimed at restoring eye movements and training the eye muscles, the claimed Ring Trainer can be effectively used:

a) when conducting corrective and developmental classes with children who have disorders in the formation of the eye movement process;

b) when conducting classes with children to prevent visual impairments when working on a computer, as well as classes to improve visual acuity in cases of myopia;

c) when conducting classes with neurological patients with alexia, whose reading difficulties are caused by a disorder of the eye movement process, therefore, in working with these patients, the above-described set of exercises for restoring eye movements is used;

d) when conducting classes with neurological patients with unilateral visual-spatial agnosia, in which the perception of objects in the left visual field is impaired, therefore, in working with these patients, the above-described exercises are used to restore eye movements, based on tracking the movement of the control element with the gaze, which periodically goes beyond the visual field perceived by the patient;

d) when conducting classes with neurological patients who have impaired voluntary attention, due to the fact that tracking the movements of the control element with the gaze will help improve concentration.

Thus, the Ring Trainer is a compact device that is easy to manufacture and easy to use, designed for work aimed at both the central and peripheral sections of the visual analyzer, the effectiveness of which is ensured by the fact that, starting from the first lessons, the work process is carried out using an external means that facilitates the control of eye movements and training of the eye muscles of the student, allowing for classes to be held to restore the impaired process of eye movements with a wide contingent of neurological patients with visual agnosia, including bedridden patients, patients with impaired movement of one of the hands and impaired movement of the fingers, as well as classes in training the eye muscles to prevent visual impairment when working on a computer, and classes in training the eye muscles to improve visual acuity in various diseases associated with disorders of the eye muscles.

At the same time, the Ring Trainer helps to further increase the effectiveness of exercises to restore the impaired process of eye movements and train the eye muscles by providing the opportunity for trainees to carry it with them for the purpose of conducting restorative and training exercises in various conditions.

Claims (5)

1. A ring trainer for conducting exercises to restore impaired eye movement processes and train the eye muscles under various conditions is a device consisting of a finger portion, on the outer surface of which a control element is located, completely protruding beyond the finger portion, designed to fix the gaze and control the eye movement of the student during the exercise, and the finger portion is designed to place the device on one of the fingers of the student's hand, while providing the ability to place and subsequently remove the device from the finger. 2. The ring trainer according to item 1, characterized in that the finger part has the shape of a ring. 3. The ring trainer according to item 1, characterized in that the finger part has the shape of a ring with a slit. 4. The ring trainer according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the control element is made in the form of a three-dimensional geometric figure. 5. The ring trainer according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the control element is made in the form of an object.