2. Abstract
• Through the creation of a memory storage device, the
American public will have a technological cure to
diseases such as Alzheimer's. The electrical impulses
transported by the optic nerve will be stored within the
body and a remote will be installed in the arm so that
the user can simply rewind to a certain day and time
and the electrical impulses will be reintroduced into
the nerve and sent to the brain to be processed as
images. Alzheimer's patients will be comforted with
their memories once again and every other citizen will
never misplace an item. The intent is to not to cure
memory loss but to invent a system of memory
retrieval.
3. Concept
• I designed the memory retrieval device for multiple reasons. The
first and foremost for Alzheimer’s patients that suffer from constant
memory loss. Secondly the device can be used in everyday life to
help one remember. The device can also be utilized in a larger social
context in the court system. The memories stored in the device can
be downloaded and visualized on media players and used to convict
criminals. Essentially no one will be able to lie without being
caught, because any crime will be seen through the eyes of the
criminal. Another use of this device would be to spread awareness
and as an educational tool. The data will be made available to the
internet by the will of the owner. With this aspect, memories can be
used in the classroom with first hand documentation of historic
incidents. Memory libraries would be the central source of
information and made available to the public.
4. Context & Precedents
• Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects one
out of every eight individuals over the age of 65 (1). The exact causes are
unknown but the disease is linked to the build up of amyloid beta protein
as plaques and tau protein as tangles in the brain. AD ultimately leads to a
disruption of reasoning, language, planning and perception (2).
• Another commonly used term that is associated with memory loss is
dementia. Dementia is not a particular disease but instead a classification
of symptoms that are associated with neurodegeneration. Lewy body
disease, strokes, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s
disease are all leading causes of dementia (3).
• Those who suffer from amnesia would also benefit from the memory
retriever. Amnesia is a memory loss that is caused by either physical injury
to the brain, ingestion of a toxic substance that targets the brain, or a
traumatic or emotional event (4).
5. Project Proposal
• The memory retriever will
consist of a small wire that
intersects the optic nerve and
stores all electrical impulses in
the forearm. The impulses will
be available to be exported by
conversion to visual images.
The device must act as the
brain to organize the visual
stimuli into an actual image.
They will also be available to
be reintroduced into the optic
nerve and continue their
journey to the visual cortex
where they are processed as
memories.
6.
7. Proposal Continued
• Each person will have control of their own
memories through a handless visual
processor surgically implanted on the arm
with the basic functions of a DVD player
(stop, play, rewind, pause, etc.) In order to
replay one’s own memories the subject
would have to close his or her eyes, so that
there is no loss or overwriting by the device
8. Conclusion
• With the memory retrieval device, the three “sins of
omission” that memory researcher, Daniel Schacter
describe as transience (loss of memory over time), absent
mindedness (lapse of attention), and blocking (momentary
inaccessability of stored information) will all be cured (5).
This device will be most useful in the near future as the
baby boom generation enters their late 60’s and 70’s. It has
been projected that as many as 10 million Americans will
suffer from Alzheimer’s by 2050 (6). Focusing on increasong
ones life expectancy is inefficient with such high rates of
dementia in the elderly population. Not only will the
memory retriever come of use to those most in need, but
will also revolutionize our judicial and education
institutions.
9. References
1 Howard Crystal, “Alzheimer’s Disease.” MedecineNet. 11 Feb. 2010 http://
www.medicinenet.com/alzheimers_disease/article.htm
2 Carrie Hill, “What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease.” About.com. 3 March 2009. 11 Feb.
2010 http://alzheimers.about.com/od/whatisalzheimer1/a/causes.htm
3 “Dementia.”A.D.A.M. 2010. 11 Feb. 2010. https://health.google.com/health/ref/
Dementia
4 John L. Miller, “Amnesia.” AtHealth. 30 Dec. 2009. 11 Feb. 2010 http://
www.athealth.com/consumer/Disorders/Amnesia.html
5 Bridget Murray, “The Seven Sins of Memory.” American Psychological Association.
2010. 11 Feb. 2010 http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct03/sins.aspx
6 “Alzheimer’s Affects a Growing Elderly Population.”Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s
Research Foundation. 12 Feb. 2007. 11 Feb 2010 http://www.alzinfo.org/
newsarticle/templates/newstemplate.asp?articleid=212&zoneid=1
10. Bibliography/Links
“Alzheimer’s Affects a Growing Elderly Population.”Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
12 Feb. 2007. 11 Feb 2010 http://www.alzinfo.org/newsarticle/templates/newstemplate.asp?
articleid=212&zoneid=1
Bridget Murray, “The Seven Sins of Memory.” American Psychological Association. 2010. 11 Feb. 2010
http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct03/sins.aspx
Carrie Hill, “What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease.” About.com. 3 March 2009. 11 Feb. 2010 http://
alzheimers.about.com/od/whatisalzheimer1/a/causes.htm
“Dementia.”A.D.A.M. 2010. 11 Feb. 2010. https://health.google.com/health/ref/Dementia
Deborah, “Aussie Artist Implants Thirs Ear in His Own Arm.” 14 Oct. 2007. 11 Feb 2010 http://
images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/wp‐content/uploads/2007/10/
Howard Crystal, “Alzheimer’s Disease.” MedecineNet. 11 Feb. 2010 http://www.medicinenet.com/
alzheimers_disease/article.htm
John L. Miller, “Amnesia.” AtHealth. 30 Dec. 2009. 11 Feb. 2010 http://www.athealth.com/consumer/
Disorders/Amnesia.html
“The Woman who can remember everything.” 09 May 2008. 11 Feb. 2010. http://
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/1940420/The‐woman‐who‐can‐remember‐
everything.html
www.aph.org/cvi/ images/brain_2.jpg
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