Alzheimer's Sufferers - New Hope Imminent New Cognitive Intelligence Technology to Assist Alzheimer's and Dementia Sufferers
"Freedom Intelligence Augmentation Network", a groundbreaking neural computer, could improve the lives of millions of Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers. A small wearable computer wirelessly networked to super-servers stores a user's daily activities. This helps dementia sufferers work through daily challenges; helping to improve quality of life and peace of mind for family members.
Richmond, BC (PRWEB) April 6, 2009
"Freedom Intelligence Augmentation Network", a groundbreaking Intelligence Augmentation system, could improve the lives of millions of Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers. This innovative neural computer, a key component of the system, is under development by engineers of Richmond's Freedom Bionics. Trials are expected to begin in 2010.
The technology provides mental functional augmentation through small wearable neural computers, wirelessly networked to internet-based super-servers, monitored around the clock by trained caregivers. The computers do the task of helping dementia sufferers work through life's daily challenges. When a problem is beyond the computers' neural capabilities, network-connected caregivers can intervene to provide immediate help.
"The goal of this technology and the associated network service is to help normalize daily life challenges that Alzheimer sufferers and their families face," says Douglas Kind, Freedom Bionics' Chief Technology Architect. "The device is intuitive, easy to use and custom profiled for each person, based on their current stage of illness."
As a starting point, the Freedom Network software analyzes the user's cognitive abilities. A technologist then programs the learning parameters, which will build a custom event-data learning library. For example, a daily dressing routine can be vocally assisted by suggesting the appropriate items of clothing, based on outside temperature. An ID transponder on an appliance can trigger the unit to provide usage prompts specific to it.
A small wrist-wearable computer with display, audio and video capability stores a user's daily activities with current and past events including GPS-based location information. The system provides the ability to recall people, dates, places, time lines, medication reminders, caregiver's instructions and much more. It also includes a navigation system with voice and data communication. Additional, internet-connected medical telemetry can provide doctors, nurses and family members with information about the wearer's medical condition and current activities, all in real time. An activity decoder can determine the user's recent movement activities.
Recent statistics indicate that close to 6 million people in North America and another 5 million+ worldwide suffer from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. With the aging population, these numbers are projected to grow to 18 million by 2020, significantly impacting every part of society.
The Freedom Intelligence Augmentation Network is designed to improve quality of life at home and promote peace of mind for family members. This system can help reduce time spent in care facilities and provide freedom and mobility to the sufferers. The goal is to keep the average sufferer out of a care facility for an additional 12 to 18 months, allowing them to live in familiar surroundings and reducing their health care costs.
Equipment and network costs should range from 5% to 10% of average monthly Care Home costs. The added value of integrated cognitive training programs and new inhibitor drugs combined with Freedom Intelligence Augmentation Network may not only improve Alzheimer's sufferers' quality of life, but extend their lifespan.
Freedom Bionics is one of a number of technology projects of Freedom Bionics Group. The companies' engineers are also developing innovative computer robotics-based machines to assist in a variety of ways. One example is "Freedom Walker", a wearable robotic device enabling paraplegic and stroke victims to walk (www. freedommedicalrobotics. com).
If you would like more information about this project, please visit www. freedombionics. com, or email info@freedombionics. com. Media contact, please call Lynn Pritchard at 604-219-1975.
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