Portable brain PET insert to enable simultaneous PET/MRI for Alzheimer’s and brain disorders
Official title: Commercialization Readiness for a Portable PET Insert System for Simultaneous TOF-PET and MR Brain Imaging
Funded at Petcoil, INC. · NIH-11300982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Petcoil, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Sunnyvale, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 11, 2025 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,320,291 |
| NIH project number | 5SB1MH139143-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11300982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals undergoing brain imaging for suspected Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or related brain disorders who would benefit from simultaneous PET/MRI.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without need for advanced brain imaging or those outside imaging centers with compatible MRI equipment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to bring a portable, brain-dedicated PET system that can be inserted into any MRI to enable truly simultaneous PET/MRI scans. By reducing the cost and installation barriers of full PET/MRI suites, it could make advanced brain imaging more accessible for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and related conditions. The research will focus on clinical translation, hardware integration, and performance validation to support clearer imaging with lower radiation exposure. If successful, patients could experience more accurate diagnoses and quicker treatment decisions without multiple separate scans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get faster, more accurate brain diagnoses with fewer visits and less radiation exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise for integrated imaging approaches, but portable brain-dedicated PET systems are still in early stages.
Where this research is happening
-
Petcoil, INC.
Sunnyvale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Chenming — Petcoil, INC.
- Study coordinator: Chang, Chenming
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.