Grant Funding

Grant Funding: NIH R01: mHealth Technologies for Assessing Hearing Disorders

Project Abstract Sound Sensitivity and Tolerance (SST) disorders represent an urgent public health challenge in hearing disorders, affecting over 350,000 new patients annually in the United States with an economic burden exceeding $14 billion. While SST frequently co-occurs with conditions like autism spectrum disorder, PTSD, and migraine, current clinical assessment methods remain largely subjective and inaccessible, particularly for underserved populations. Recent research shows that Auditory Pupillary Response (APR) provides a promising objective biomarker for SST, as affected individuals exhibit distinct pupillary reactions to sound stimuli. However, measuring APR currently requires expensive clinical equipment and controlled laboratory settings, creating significant barriers to widespread adoption. This project aims to transform SST assessment through AudioSight, an innovative smartphone-based system that enables accessible, objective measurement of APR. Building on our preliminary data showing clear APR differentiation between SST patients…

Continue ReadingGrant Funding: NIH R01: mHealth Technologies for Assessing Hearing Disorders

Grant Funding: University of Buffalo Center for Advanced Technology in Big Data and Health Sciences (UB CAT)

  • Post category:A33 - Auspex

Auspex Medix received $40,000 in matching funds from UB CAT Source: https://www.buffalo.edu/partnerships/about/news-events/news-detail-template.host.html/content/shared/www/partnerships/news/2025/New-hearing-loss-test-checks-the-eyes-not-the-ears.detail.html

Continue ReadingGrant Funding: University of Buffalo Center for Advanced Technology in Big Data and Health Sciences (UB CAT)

Grant Funding: SB1AG090151-01A1 – Improving Mental Health and Social Connectivity for Older Adults through Virtual Reality-Based Social Interventions

The MassAITC funded pilot project was the first to shift the use-case of the Rendever VR into the home setting. This grant furthers the push into the home by Rendever as a commercially viable solution to enable older adults aging at home to be more socially connected with their peers.This Commercial Readiness Pilot project builds on the success of their Phase I pilot study and Phase II STTR clinical trial by extending Rendever's virtual reality (VR) platform to enhance social connectivity among older adults who are aging in place, a majority of the aging population that Rendever is not yet serving. Older adults living at home will be connected with those living in senior living communities, where Rendever is already successfully implemented, through shared VR experiences. This project contributes to public health by testing the…

Continue ReadingGrant Funding: SB1AG090151-01A1 – Improving Mental Health and Social Connectivity for Older Adults through Virtual Reality-Based Social Interventions

Grant Funding: 1R41AG092186 – Restoring Self-Feeding with a Sensor Driven Robotic System

  • Post category:B14 - DESiN

Project Narrative: The NIH STTR Phase I project aims to improve the Obi robotic feeding system with advanced technology, allowing it to autonomously deliver food to individuals with severe upper limb disabilities. This enhancement will provide a more independent eating experience, reduce caregiver burden, and has the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of people with mobility impairments. Source: 1R41AG092186-01A1 (NIH RePORTER)

Continue ReadingGrant Funding: 1R41AG092186 – Restoring Self-Feeding with a Sensor Driven Robotic System

Grant Funding: NIA Phase I SBIR Award

Abstract: This proposal responds to an acute challenge currently underserved by technology; the need to leverage novel approaches to develop cost-effective and responsive digital, mobile, website, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to encourage participation in Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) clinical trials. With ADRD cases expected to double by 2060, efforts to ensure adequate participation in ADRD clinical trials is paramount to ensuring successful biomedical advances and drug development. Despite ongoing efforts to improve ADRD outcomes and clinical trial participation, no digital solution exists which has been purposefully designed and co-developed in partnership with patients at higher-risk of ADRD or with informal caregivers of ADRD patients critical in addressing challenges associated with trial participation. In response, this project utilizes approaches in digital tool development, AI, qualitative interviews and small group discussions, and use of…

Continue ReadingGrant Funding: NIA Phase I SBIR Award

Grant Funding: NSF SBIR Phase II – AI-based Accessible Visual-Assessment App for Active Healthy Aging of Older Adults

The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will result from providing remote, accessible fall risk assessments and exercise programs. This project empowers older adults to maintain independence and improve their quality of life. Falls are a major health risk for older adults, with significant physical, psychological, and economic impacts, costing the U.S. $50 billion annually. Current fall prevention methods are costly, inconsistent, or difficult to access, particularly in rural communities. This project introduces an AI-based video assessment app for routine fall risk assessments and personalized exercises for older adults using common smartphones or tablets. This innovation aims to improve the quality of life for older adults. Beyond improving individual health outcomes, this project has the potential to significantly lower healthcare costs by reducing fall-related hospitalizations, rehabilitation expenses, and long-term…

Continue ReadingGrant Funding: NSF SBIR Phase II – AI-based Accessible Visual-Assessment App for Active Healthy Aging of Older Adults

Grant Funding: Novel orthostatic vital signs measured by an earlobe wearable device (1R21AG088945)

Principal investigator, Amar Basu, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Wayne State University and CEO of TRACE Biometrics LLC, has received a National Institute on Aging R21 award to further validate the TRACE sensor against gold standard clinical orthostatic measures, which will build upon the pilot award's work towards securing FDA clearance. Project Summary: Orthostatic disorders, including orthostatic hypotension (OH), disproportionately affect older adults, presenting in 30% of older adults and up to 70% of nursing home residents. As OH is a major risk factor for syncope, falls, and cognitive decline, medical agencies stress the public health need for monitoring orthostatic vital signs (OVS) in at-risk individuals. This proposal investigates an NIA award-winning wearable device called TRACE, which addresses fundamental limitations of the current clinical standard, the blood pressure (BP) cuff: 1) The BP…

Continue ReadingGrant Funding: Novel orthostatic vital signs measured by an earlobe wearable device (1R21AG088945)