Improving PET imaging using advanced photon counting technology
Official title: Machine Learning with Scintillation Photon Counting Detectors to Advance PET Imaging Performance
Funded at University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab · NIH-10742435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on improving PET scans by using smart technology to make the images clearer and more accurate, which could help doctors diagnose health issues earlier and better for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | September 26, 2023 |
| Project end | September 24, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $502,841 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB033966-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10742435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who require PET imaging for diagnostic purposes, particularly those with conditions like cancer or neurological disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require PET imaging or those with conditions that do not benefit from enhanced imaging techniques may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing positron emission tomography (PET) imaging by developing advanced detectors that utilize machine learning to improve the sensitivity and quality of images produced. By precisely localizing the origins of photon emissions, the project aims to significantly enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, leading to clearer and more accurate imaging results. Patients undergoing PET scans may benefit from this technology as it could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of various conditions. The approach involves sophisticated algorithms and electronic instrumentation to achieve these advancements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significantly improved PET imaging, allowing for better diagnosis and monitoring of diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in enhancing imaging techniques through advanced detector technologies, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cates, Joshua William — University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
- Study coordinator: Cates, Joshua William
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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.