3D, no‑compression breast scan for women with dense breasts
Official title: A comprehensive imaging solution for dense breast cancer screening and diagnostics
Funded at Malcova INC · NIH-11138590 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is building a low‑dose, no‑compression 3D breast scanner to help find cancers more clearly in women with dense breast tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Malcova INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, United States) |
| Project start | February 28, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $853,988 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA261381-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138590 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are women with dense breast tissue who are having screening or diagnostic breast imaging and may benefit from clearer 3D images.
✕Less likely to help
People without dense breasts, those who need MRI or contrast studies, pregnant people, or those with contraindications to CT likely would not benefit from this device.
What this research studies
You would be hearing about a new imaging device that uses a narrow‑beam CT design to make high‑resolution, three‑dimensional pictures of the breast without squeezing. The team is adding a time‑based image reconstruction to improve image detail without making scans longer. They will first validate the method using a realistic moving breast phantom in the lab and then look at patient imaging in a first retrospective pilot to see how it works on real cases. The goal is to understand whether the device can give clearer diagnostic information for women with dense breasts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make cancers easier to spot in dense breasts and reduce unclear results or extra testing.
How similar studies have gone: Other 3D breast imaging methods (like dedicated breast CT or tomosynthesis) have shown promise, but this narrow‑beam, time‑based approach is relatively new and less tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Malcova INC
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghazi, Peymon — Malcova INC
- Study coordinator: Ghazi, Peymon
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.