A new portable system for combined brain imaging using PET and MRI.
Official title: A Portable PET Insert System for Simultaneous TOF-PET and MR Brain Imaging
Funded at Petcoil, INC. · NIH-10909242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new portable imaging system that combines PET and MRI scans to help doctors better diagnose and treat brain conditions like Alzheimer's and tumors, making the process easier and safer for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Petcoil, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Sunnyvale, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 7, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $851,630 |
| NIH project number | 5R44MH123253-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing symptoms of neurological disorders, particularly those related to Alzheimer's disease or brain tumors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not require advanced brain imaging techniques may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a portable Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography (TOF-PET) system that can be easily integrated with existing MRI machines. By allowing simultaneous PET and MRI imaging, the project aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and brain tumors. This approach seeks to reduce patient inconvenience, minimize radiation exposure, and eliminate delays associated with separate imaging sessions. The innovative design aims to significantly lower the costs associated with acquiring advanced imaging technology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with faster and more accurate diagnoses for brain-related conditions, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of hybrid imaging is established, this specific portable system approach is novel and has not been widely tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Petcoil, INC.
Sunnyvale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Chenming — Petcoil, INC.
- Study coordinator: Chang, Chenming
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Portable brain PET insert to enable simultaneous PET/MRI for Alzheimer’s and brain disorders
A portable brain PET device being developed to work with existing MRIs to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and other brain conditions faster and with less hassle for patients.
-
Real-Time Motion Correction for a Portable Brain/Head & Neck PET Scanner
A small, portable PET scanner for head and neck imaging would get clearer pictures in real time by correcting for patient movement.
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Developing a portable system for simultaneous brain imaging using PET and MRI.
This study is working on a new device that can be added to MRI machines to help doctors get better pictures of the brain while checking for Alzheimer's disease, making it easier and safer for patients to get the tests they need.
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.