NIH grant: Real-Time Motion Correction Method for a Portable, High-Resolution TOF PET Scanner for Imaging the Brain, Head, and Neck (1R43DE035410-01)

retained text

NIH grant 1R43DE035410-01: Real-Time Motion Correction Method for a Portable, High-Resolution TOF PET Scanner for Imaging the Brain, Head, and Neck
Institute: {'code': 'DE', 'abbreviation': 'NIDCR', 'name': 'National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research', 'admin_org_id': '12500070', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: Chenming  Chang. Award: $409779.
Start: 2026-07-01T00:00:00.
Head and neck cancer (HNC), including cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx, is the sixth most common
cancer and the ninth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Despite advances in PET imaging, a critical
tool in staging and treatment planning, the detection of cervical lymph node metastases remains challenging due
to the limited resolution of conventional whole-body PET scanners. This limitation results in high false-negative
rates, particularly for small (<7 mm) metastases in clinically node-negative patients. Due to the high prevalence
(20-30%) of occult lymph node metastases, many HNC patients undergo elective neck dissections to remove
potentially affected nodes, despite the associated risks and morbidity. Addressing this unmet need, the Head
PETcoil is a portable, high-resolution, time-of-flight (TOF) PET system designed for brain, head, and neck
imaging. Compared to conventional PET systems, the Head PETcoil offers nearly six times finer spatial
resolution and three times higher photon sensitivity, improving the detection of tumors and small lymph node
metastasis. To realize this improved resolution in patient studies, it is critical to correct for image blurring due to
head motion, which can cause displacements that range from 2 to 5 mm. This Phase I project aims to develop
and validate real-time motion correction software for the Head PETcoil. Aim 1 is to develop ultra-fast data
processing and image reconstruction software capable of generating short timeframe (1-5 seconds) PET images
in real time during data acquisition. Aim 2 is to create real-time motion estimation and correction software to
calculate motion from short timeframe images and produce motion-corrected images within 5 minutes after scan
completion. Aim 3 will verify the accuracy of the motion correction method using phantoms with simulated head
motion. The goal is to ensure motion-corrected images meet performance metrics (e.g., spatial resolution,
contrast-to-noise ratio) comparable to static images. By the end of Phase I, a robust software package capable
of generating motion-corrected images for the portable, high-resolution TOF PET system within 5 minutes post-
scan will be delivered. Phase II will refine the real-time motion correction software in imaging HNC patients and
compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Head PETcoil to commercial whole-body PET systems. The Head
PETcoil has the potential to transform HNC imaging by improving early-stage disease detection, enhancing
treatment planning, and expanding access to advanced TOF PET imaging.

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