LiverScope: a quick, affordable liver test at the point of care for MASLD/NAFLD
Official title: Accurate Point of Care Liver Disease Diagnostics, Phase II
Funded at Livivos INC. · NIH-11417428 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A compact, table-top MRI-based device called LiverScope® aims to give doctors a fast, low-cost liver health check at the point of care for adults with MASLD/NAFLD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Livivos INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $785,714 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK135225-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417428 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or suspected MASLD/NAFLD who need liver health assessment in a clinic or mobile setting.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without MASLD/NAFLD or those not needing liver imaging may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops and tests a handheld-friendly MRI-based tool that can be used in clinics or in a mobile van to measure liver fat and other markers. It focuses on accuracy, depth of imaging, and compliance to prepare for FDA clearance. The team will run phantom and clinical studies in adults with known or suspected MASLD to verify performance and readiness for clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, LiverScope® could enable earlier, accessible liver health assessments in routine care and improve management of MASLD/NAFLD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous imaging-based liver diagnostics have shown promise, but this project advances a low-cost, point-of-care option with regulatory readiness.
Where this research is happening
-
Livivos INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prado, Pablo J — Livivos INC.
- Study coordinator: Prado, Pablo J
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.