Kenneth Shinozuka: My simple invention, designed to keep my grandfather safe
The Growing Threat of Alzheimer's Disease
Overview of Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's disease is identified as the fastest-growing health threat in America, surpassing cancer, heart attacks, and diabetes.
- Every 67 seconds, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, indicating a significant increase in cases expected to triple by 2050.
Personal Experience with Alzheimer's
- The speaker shares a personal story about their grandfather's diagnosis with Alzheimer’s, highlighting the emotional impact on their family.
- The challenges faced by caregivers are emphasized, particularly the stress experienced by the primary caregiver due to the grandfather's wandering.
Innovative Solutions for Caregiving
Development of a Sensor-Based Solution
- The speaker conceptualizes a pressure sensor that alerts caregivers when an Alzheimer’s patient steps out of bed.
- A demonstration is provided showing how the alert system works through a sock model.
Early Inspirations and Challenges
- The speaker recounts early inspirations from childhood experiences related to elderly care and falls.
- Three main challenges were identified: creating a wearable sensor, designing a circuit, and coding an app for caregivers.
Technical Implementation
Creating the Wearable Sensor
- Extensive research led to developing a thin and flexible pressure sensor using conductive ink particles that measure electrical resistance based on applied pressure.
Wireless Communication and App Development
- Bluetooth low energy technology was chosen for its efficiency in power consumption, allowing for long-lasting battery life in devices.
- The development process included learning coding skills necessary for integrating Bluetooth functionality into a smartphone app.
Testing and Future Directions
Prototyping and Real-world Testing
- Two prototypes were created: one embedded in socks and another as an attachable sensor assembly; both tested successfully on patients including the speaker's grandfather.
Data Collection for Improved Patient Care