High-resolution, non-x-ray breast imaging using near-infrared light
Ultra-high-density, compressive and media- adaptive optical breast tomography platform
They're building a safe, high-resolution breast imaging system that uses near-infrared light to help find and describe tumors, especially for people with dense breast tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126008 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get a non‑ionizing scan that shines patterned near‑infrared light on the breast and records images with cameras instead of using x‑rays or fiber bundles. The project combines those optical images with existing x‑ray tomosynthesis pictures and advanced algorithms to produce clearer, 3‑D maps of tissue function like blood flow and metabolism. The team moved away from fiber probes to a widefield, camera‑based design to increase sampling density and image detail. They have already tested related systems in clinical studies and are refining hardware and reconstruction methods to improve resolution and clinical usefulness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people coming for breast screening or diagnostic imaging, particularly those with dense breasts, suspicious mammogram/DBT findings, or high breast‑cancer risk.
Not a fit: People who need immediate biopsy or whose tumors lie too deep for optical light to penetrate may not gain direct benefit from this imaging approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help detect early tumors and reduce unnecessary biopsies by giving clearer functional images, especially in dense breasts.
How similar studies have performed: Related diffuse optical and combined optical/x‑ray imaging approaches have shown promise in clinical studies but have been limited by low resolution, and this project aims to overcome that.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Northeastern University — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fang, Qianqian — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Fang, Qianqian
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 below.