STEM project
Mile post 1 The problem I would like to tackle with my project is an advanced cure for Alzheimer’s disease. This is a problem in many places in the world and it can affect anyone at any time. I have a few people in my family that have been or are affected by Alzheimer’s and it causes many problems with their daily lives. Alzheimer’s is caused by the constriction and inflammation of blood vessels and arteries in the brain. These problems then inflict chronic memory loss and forgetfulness on a patient. It is also a hereditary gene that can be passed down to many generations. This is scary because even though someone knows it’s possible to get Alzheimer’s, they can’t do anything about it. A solution to stop this would be my invention of a flexible tubular insert that can go into the blood vessels and arteries that reside in a susceptible Alzheimer patient. This insert will stop any predetermined blood vessel constriction or inflammation which could alter the effect of Alzheimer’s. This new device will be made out of silicone flexible tubing that can easily be shaped into different sizes to fit where it needs to be. This would be great in stopping the passing down of Alzheimer’s to generations.
Mile post 2
My main proposed solution is to invent an implant that can safely and effectively go into the human brain and the arteries in it to prevent the constriction and inflammation the is the main source of Alzheimer’s disease. Ways I could do this is to either invent or use a malleable substance that will not corrode or interfere with the brains actual function. I would need the help of a professional to give me answers that the internet doesn’t have and I would need to learn what things are safe for the brain and what isn’t. I would then base off of that what I could use to make the tubing that will be inserted into the brain out of so that the receiver is safe from any brain damage. These proposed solutions are very complex and will take research and time to figure out what is the best thing to do and how to do it.
Mile post 3 Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions. I would like to stop this and allow people with Alzheimer’s to live a full life and not to give it to memory loss and forgetfulness. With the technological changes forever going on in our world I believe that we could invent something to stop the shrinking of and constriction of the brain that cause rapid decline in humans that we call Alzheimer’s. I will need to research the ways that we could get into the brain, preferably arteries. The brain receives blood from two sources: the internal carotid arteries, which arise at the point in the neck where the common carotid arteries bifurcate, and the vertebral arteries. The internal carotid arteries branch to form two major cerebral arteries, the anterior and middle cerebral arteries which provide blood flow to the brain. Inserting things into the brain through these arteries would be the safest and would cause minimal to absolutely no damage. We would also need to become more familiar with the way the brain functions and what types of material or substances can be put into the brain without causing damage and making the situation worse.
Mile post 4
My target customers for my device implant would mainly be younger people who are going to be more susceptible to Alzheimer’s. People who have elders in their family with Alzheimer’s are the more susceptible to get the disease as their life goes on. I also feel that the younger the person is the easier the operation will be since our immune systems are more complex and stronger when we are younger. This is in case there ends up being some form of infection in the brain it will then be fought off easier. Also putting in