ESS, eye stimulator system for VVIS facility (Visual and Vestibular Investigation System)

The ESS (Eye Stimulation System) is one of four main Subsystems of the Visual and Vestibular Investigation System ( VVIS ), Facility developed in the field of EDEN program and aimed to the research in the area of neurosensors physiology under microgravity conditions. In particular, the ESS is an Optokinetic Stimulator that stimulates the Subject's eyes with moving black and yellow patterns, in order to allow, by another main Subsystem, video recording of the pupil movement and, successively, to elaborate the relevant data of the neurovestibular experiment. This Stimulator was designed by the Officine Galileo as Subcontractor of Aerospatiale, leader of the VVIS facility, developed under ESA contract and successfully flown in April 1998 aboard the Neurolab mission. The Eye Stimulation System, on the frame of the VVIS Facility, is used in conjunction with the Body Rotating Device and the Eye Movement and Recording System, in order to fulfill all operations that lead to carry-out the experiments proposed. The Subject, seated on the Rotating Chair, observes the stimuli on a display monitor through a set of lenses, mounted on a proper box, fixed to a main structure of the unit. The stimuli patterns are showed on a display, placed on a movable support in order to fix it in a proper position, depending on the optical characteristics of the Subject. The experiments are repeated with different kind of patterns. All the main components of the visual system are mounted on a structural base plate, that gives also the mechanical I/F with the other system, supporting the ESS.