November 6, 2020 – Chandler, AZ – Dr. Cephus E. Simmons, Sr., a graduate of Trident at American InterContinental University’s (Trident) Ph.D. in Health Sciences program, has seen his research accepted for presentation at two conferences.
Dr. Simmons and Mr. Jon Aldinger presented “An Innovative Double Balloon Catheter That Creates a Rectal Seal: Evaluation of Applicability to CT Colonography” at the Society for Advanced Body Imaging’s 43rd Annual Meeting in October.
This presentation was an overview of Dr. Simmons’s Ph.D. dissertation, “An Experimental Study of Double-Balloon and Single-Balloon Catheters and the Causal Association with Maintenance of an Air-Tight Rectal Seal and Tissue Damage in White Colony Yorkshire Swine.” Dr. Ryan Dwight, Doctoral Studies Director of Trident’s College of Health and Human Services served as dissertation chairperson.
As explained by the presenters, the research suggests the double balloon catheter has the capability of improving the efficiency of colorectal procedures by effectively creating a rectal seal without added rectal tissue injury risk. Increased distention improves the efficiency and efficacy of CT colonography, which is a key screening tool for detection of colorectal cancer.
More information about Dr. Simmons’s double balloon catheter can be found at SealCath.
Dr. Simmons is currently an Associate Professor in the College of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. His academic focuses in this role include radiology fluoroscopic procedures, ultrasound guided procedures, and radiation safety and device innovations.
Since graduation, Dr. Simmons has continued to devote his time to research that will positively impact the public. He has presented at multiple conferences. He is also actively researching further uses of the catheter he invented, as well as thyroid cancer risks in infants.
Dr. Simmons is a military veteran and has been a career counselor and mentor for elementary and high school-aged students.
Dr. Simmons is a 2019 graduate of Trident’s Ph.D. in Health Sciences program. He earned a Master of Radiologic Science from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Francis Marion University.
About Trident University InternationalFounded in 1998, Trident University International is a member of the American InterContinental University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org). Trident uses the EdActive™ learning approach, which employs case-based learning in an online setting to teach real-world relevant critical thinking skills designed to enhance the lives and education of students. Trident offers quality associate, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs and certificates, led by a qualified faculty team, over 80% of whom have doctoral degrees. Trident has nearly 27,000 alumni, of which more than 22,000 have a military affiliation and has received acknowledgements from Washington Monthly, Military Times, and Military Advanced Education & Transition for their dedication to student success. Visit www.trident.edu, Trident’s Facebook page, or call at to learn more about Trident's wide range of educational options.
