University of South Florida Archives - Medical Design Sourcing

Why hearing aids might slow cognitive decline in older adults

[Image courtesy of USF]

Results from a clinical trial indicated that hearing aids may play a part in reducing long-term cognitive decline for older adults.

According to the University of South Florida, it was the largest randomized, controlled clinical trial testing the efficacy of hearing aids for reducing long-term cognitive decline in older adults. ACHIEVE evaluated patients between ages 70 and 84 with untreated hearing loss. These patients were free from substantial cognitive impairment.

Researchers conducted the study across four U.S. study sites, evaluating 977 total participants across two populations. Healthy community volunteers included 739 participants, while 238 participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

The multisite study found that, in older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline, hearing intervention slowed down the loss of thinking and memory abi…

This device could help prevent strokes during surgery

This image shows how the diffuse correlation spectroscopy device displays a blockage of blood to the brain before (left) and after treatment. [Image courtesy of the University of South Florida]

Researchers at the University of South Florida have developed a device that could help prevent strokes in patients during surgery.

The researchers call their device a DCS, for diffuse correlation spectroscopy. This optical monitoring tool uses fiberoptics to emit light and capture a returning signal. It monitors blood flow to the brain and offers real-time information during surgery.

Doctors receive alerts when abnormalities occur in the way the light travels, potentially indicating stroke or brain bleed. The USF non-invasive device uses small plastic caps attached to the head.

Ashwin Parthasarathy (left) and Dr. Maxim Mokin at Tampa General Hospital as…

3D-printed nasal swab wins Patents for Humanity award

The 3D-printed swab team helped solve a global shortage, sharing their design for free with organizations that produced more than 100 million swabs. [Image courtesy of USF]

The University of South Florida received the Patents for Humanity award for its patent of a 3D-printed nasopharyngeal swab.

Developers created the swab in the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic to solve production disruptions during a time of critical need for COVID-19 testing.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) awarded USF with the Patents for Humanity prize. Other recipients of awards include the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the NIH, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences Inc., and Caron Products. The USPTO plans to celebrate the winners at an awards ceremony on Feb. 16, 2023.

Due to the urgent global need for swabs, USF’s team decided to forgo monetization of its invention, th…