NIH-funded research Sbir 1 grant

Real-Time Motion Correction for a Portable Brain/Head & Neck PET Scanner

Official title: Real-Time Motion Correction Method for a Portable, High-Resolution TOF PET Scanner for Imaging the Brain, Head, and Neck

Funded at Petcoil, INC. · NIH-11253404 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A small, portable PET scanner for head and neck imaging would get clearer pictures in real time by correcting for patient movement.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPetcoil, INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Sunnyvale, UNITED STATES)
Project startJuly 1, 2026
Project endJune 30, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$409,779
NIH project number1R43DE035410-01
Project IDNIH-11253404 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing PET imaging who may have small metastatic lymph nodes.

Less likely to help

Patients without head and neck cancer or those not undergoing PET imaging may not benefit from this software.

What this research studies

This project develops ultrafast software to correct motion as patients move during PET scans of the head and neck, improving image sharpness. It uses a new high-resolution Head PETcoil to detect tiny metastases more reliably. The approach aims to run in real time so clinicians can see better images during the scan and adjust as needed. The work focuses on translating a Phase I proof of concept into a validated software solution for clinical use.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to more accurate detection of small cancerous lymph nodes and better-informed treatment decisions for head and neck cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Previous high-resolution PET studies show improved lesion detection with motion correction, but real-time portable systems are still being validated.

Where this research is happening

  • Petcoil, INC.
    Sunnyvale, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Chang, Chenming — Petcoil, INC.
  • Study coordinator: Chang, Chenming

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Browse more
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.