LiverScope: a simple clinic device to measure liver fat
Accurate Point of Care Liver Disease Diagnostics, Phase II
This project is developing LiverScope, a compact MRI-based device to measure liver fat in adults with or at risk for fatty liver disease.
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 ID | NIH-11069108 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is building a small, table-top magnetic resonance device that can sit in a regular clinic room or be operated from a mobile van to measure liver fat without complex shielding. They will first improve the device’s signal accuracy and penetration, test those improvements in lab phantoms, and then run a clinical performance study in adults with known or suspected metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The project also includes compliance and performance testing needed to support a future FDA 510(k) clearance and wider clinical use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older with known or suspected MASLD/NAFLD or with risk factors such as type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children under 21, people without liver fat concerns, or those with MRI contraindications (for example certain implanted metal devices) may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make accurate liver-fat measurement available at local clinics or mobile units, improving earlier diagnosis and easier monitoring of fatty liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: MRI-derived proton-density fat fraction (PDFF) is an established biomarker used successfully in other studies, but this compact, noise-free tabletop MR device is a novel approach that still needs clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
San Diego, UNITED STATES
- 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 below.