Alzheimer’s Retinal Scan / Hearable

Goal:
Create a dual-function diagnostic platform using retinal imaging and in-ear biosensing to screen for Alzheimer’s disease non-invasively.

Impact:
Alzheimer’s diagnosis typically requires costly brain imaging or post-symptom cognitive testing. This project combines ophthalmic imaging and hearable biosensors to detect neural and vascular biomarkers through the eye and ear — two of the body’s most accessible diagnostic windows. The innovation lies in pairing low-cost hardware with smartphone AI models to deliver clinic-level insights anywhere, helping detect disease years before memory loss begins.

General Parts & Functionality:
Uses an IR fundus camera for retinal scans or an earbud with EEG/PPG sensors for neural and blood-flow monitoring; data sent to a phone app for AI-driven analysis.

Roles Involved:

• Hardware: Design optical imaging and in-ear sensor systems.
• Firmware: Capture and transmit multi-signal data to mobile interfaces.
• AI/ML: Train diagnostic models on retinal patterns and EEG features.
• CAD Design: Create compact, patient-friendly form factors.
• Research/Biology: Link retinal/EEG biomarkers to Alzheimer’s pathology.

Benefits:
Makes neurological screening affordable, portable, and preventive, enabling annual home-based checkups that can revolutionize early dementia detection.