[BMIT Roster]

The Biomedical Imaging Technology [BMIT] Scientific Review Group reviews grant applications involving basic, applied, and pre-clinical aspects of the design and development of medical imaging systems, their components, software, and mathematical methods; as well as related technologies, for studies at the organ, small or large animal, and human scale.

Specific areas covered by BMIT:

• Component technologies used in the design, development, implementation, testing and application of imaging systems, such as: image detectors and related energy conversion devices, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation detectors, magnets and coils, and other technologies used in devices to acquire medical image data.
  
  
• Physics and mathematics of medical imaging devices and systems for hardware and software development: application of methods of applied mathematics for solving inverse problems using iterative, non-iterative, deterministic and probabilistic approaches; and analysis of complex dynamical systems.
  
  
• Methods of processing medical images: display, and computational resources for reconstruction, registration, segmentation, visualization, and analysis of 2-, 3-, and 4- (or higher) dimensional data sets.
  
  
• Medical image analysis used in conjunction with other sources of image and non-image data, including: multi-media data, data transmitted and archived in databases for data mining, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and computer-aided diagnosis.
  
  
• Presentation for human observers, images derived from voluminous multi-dimensional data sets by visualization, including: man-machine interfaces; real-time interactive systems; multi-modality fusion; multi-temporal data sets; and workstation software and hardware design, implementation, and psychophysical testing.
  
  
• Development of image-based methods and strategies to characterize tissue by deriving estimates of their local and global biophysical, biochemical, biological, and imaging properties.
  
  
• Image-guided surgical or physical interventions that require high performance computing and display of images for interactive man-machine environments that simultaneously, or sequentially, diagnose, plan, treat, update, and follow-up.
  
  
• Integration of imaging system component technologies with one or multiple modalities, (including high performance computing environments and software) to accomplish specific medical tasks.
  
  
• Methodology for validating medical imaging systems including: reference objects, databases, quality control criteria, software metrics, and related components.
  
  
• Medical-image-observer performance: modeling, metrics, calibration, standards, and simulation of an ideal observe using principles of psychophysical experimentation.

BMIT has the following shared interests within the SBIB IRG:

• With Medical Imaging [MEDI]: (1) Where emphasis is on the development of molecular probes, contrast agents, or molecular imaging techniques, the application would be referred to MEDI; where emphasis is on the design or development of medical imaging systems, their components, or software the application would be referred to BMIT. (2) Where equipment, software and technique development are underway simultaneous with the development, evaluation, and validation of the imaging application.  In general, proposals that emphasize the application or validation of in vivo imaging approaches would be referred to MEDI; those that emphasize the design or development of medical imaging systems, their components, or software would be referred to BMIT.

BMIT has the following shared interests outside the SBIB IRG:

• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: The development of instrumentation, techniques, or procedures for imaging molecules or organelles is an area of shared interest.  If the purpose of imaging is to address questions of pathology, diagnosis, or treatment assignment would be to BMIT.  If the objective of the imaging is to investigate mechanisms or fundamental biological questions, assignment would be to the BST IRG.
  
  
• With organ-system and disease IRGs: Review venue should be based on the nature of the scientific questions being addressed.  In general, applications for which the emphasis is on the design or development of medical imaging systems, their components, or software would be referred to BMIT; where the emphasis is on obtaining structural, functional, or behavioral information the application would be referred to an organ-system or disease IRG.

[MEDI Roster]

The Medical Imaging [MEDI] Scientific Review Group reviews proposals involving the application and validation of in vivo imaging of humans and animals, including early phase clinical studies of medical imaging systems, molecular probes and contrast agents, software, molecular imaging techniques, and related technologies.  The underlying technologies may be refined and optimized during testing in response to research questions or clinical needs.

Specific areas covered by MEDI:

• Evaluation of improvements in technologies underlying medical imaging systems.
  
  
• Studies of widely available medical imaging systems to evaluate novel medical applications.
  
  
• Pre-clinical, Phase-I, and -II clinical trials of medical imaging systems and accessories.
  
  
• Prediction, selection, and monitoring of therapeutic response based on imaging studies, with or without exogenous agents, using one or more modalities, especially for multi-temporal investigations to measure changes relative to a pretreatment baseline.
  
  
• Applications of imaging systems and modification of diagnostic methods for use in: screening; characterizing physiological effects, such as normal tissue tolerance or low-level radiation effects; and assessing risk.
  
  
• Image-guided interventions in integrated diagnostic and therapeutic systems.
  
  
• In vivo strategies and methods for characterizing tissue, and distinguishing between normal and pathologic states, based on estimates of biophysical, biomechanical, bioelectrical, biochemical, metabolic, perfusion/diffusion, or other properties determined locally or globally by imaging.
  
  
• Development of surrogate endpoints based on quantitative imaging for use in clinical trials of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biologics and other therapeutic interventions.
  
  
• Incorporation of the results of imaging in medical decision making: modeling imaging systems and applications; application of medical imaging to various populations and throughout the phases of growth and development; use of imaging in outcome evaluation; and cost modeling of medical imaging systems and their applications.
  
  
• Development and application of standards for control of image quality and imaging software using reusable, portable, extensible and open source approaches.
  
  
• Integrative, correlative and comparative studies of normal and pathologic states that employ multi-modal, multi-temporal, and multi-dimensional medical imaging systems and techniques.
  
  
• Prediction, selection and monitoring therapeutic response by administering agents and imaging, to detect the location, amount, and fate of the agent in normal and diseased tissues.  This implies multi-temporal, image-based evaluation of tracers and metabolites in a detailed anatomic framework that could require multiple modalities and post-processing of complex data sets.
  
  
• Diagnosis of functional disorders and classification of tissue as normal or pathologic based on exogenous agents that may be tailored to specific cellular processes or genetic expressions
  
  
• Synthesis of new diagnostic agents or therapeutic pharmaceuticals used in medical imaging studies with attention to quality control, toxicology, biodistribution, and breakdown products; these studies often involve radiochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.

MEDI has the following shared interests within the SBIB IRG:

• With Biomedical Imaging Technology [BMIT] regarding imaging proposals where equipment, software and technique development are underway simultaneous with the development, evaluation, and validation of the imaging application: In general, proposals that emphasize the design or development of medical imaging systems, their components, or software would be referred to BMIT; those that emphasize the application or validation of in vivo imaging approaches would be referred to MEDI.

MEDI has the following shared interests outside the SBIB IRG:

• With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] IRG:  In general, the synthesis of radiolabeled compounds involving metal complexes would be referred to BCMB, however, if imaging studies are involved MEDI would be appropriate.
  
• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: The development of techniques or procedures for imaging molecules or organelles is an area of shared interest.  If the purpose of imaging is to address questions of pathology, diagnosis, or treatment assignment would be to MEDI.  If the objective of the imaging is to investigate mechanisms or fundamental biological questions, assignment would be to BST.
  
• With the Digestive Sciences [DIG] IRG: In general, studies of the toxicity, biodistribution, breakdown products, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pharmaceutical compounds would be reviewed in DIG; if the compound is used in conjunction with imaging studies review could be in MEDI.
  
• With organ-system and disease IRGs: Review venue should be based on the nature of the scientific questions being addressed.  In general, proposals involving the initial application or validation of an in vivo imaging approach would be referred to MEDI; where imaging is being used as a tool to study a condition, process, therapy, etc., the application would be referred to an organ-system or disease IRG.

[BCHI Roster]

The Biomedical Computing and Health Informatics Scientific Review Group reviews grant applications involving both basic research and applications of computational science to knowledge and information in biomedicine, healthcare and their integration. The focus is on the development and application of computational modeling and computational sciences to biomedical and clinical problems.  This includes methods and techniques from such disciplines as software engineering, telemedicine, human-computer interaction, advanced computing architectures, and clinical database development, maintenance, and mining. This scientific review group reviews all grant mechanisms, including SBIR and STTR.

Specific areas covered by BCHI:

• Application of modeling methods to various levels of normal and pathophysiological processes.
  
  
• Application and development of human-centered computing (human-machine interfaces) to biomedical and clinical systems, including the application of social sciences, cognitive sciences, ergonomics and the study of collaboration to engineer-usable effective software systems.
  
  
• Application of intelligent systems to biomedical and clinical problems.
  
  
• Mathematical modeling of physiological functions/systems, where the outcome is of medical/clinical import.
  
  
• Application of data analysis, management and mining to areas and: electronic medical records, picture archiving, tele-imaging, consumer informatics, and population-based databases.
  
  
•  Development of medical and biomedical knowledge and information-management systems, including ontologies and controlled vocabularies.
  
  
• Application of clinical and biomedical software engineering, including validation of software in clinical settings.
  
  
• Development of telemedicine systems.
  
  
• Development of computer-assisted diagnosis and treatment systems with data other than imaging data.
  
  
• Integration of genomics and proteomics information with clinical information.
  
  
• Application of advanced computing architectures to questions in biomedical and clinical information and knowledge management.
  
  
• Application of virtual environments to the solution of biomedical and clinical problems.
  
  
• Development and dissemination of standards in biomedical computing and health informatics.
  
  
• Development and application of evaluation and validation techniques for biomedical and health informatics systems and applications.

BCHI has the following shared interests within the SBIB IRG:

• With Biomedical Imaging Technology [BMIT] and Small Business Biomedical Imaging [SBMI]: In general, grant applications that focus on specific methods, techniques or validation of medical and biomedical imaging questions would be referred to BMIT or SBMI; if the focus is on informatics, it would be referred to BCHI.
  
  
• With Bioengineering, Technology and Surgical Sciences [BTSS] and Small Business Biomedical Sensing, Measurement and Instrumentation [SSMI]: In general, grant applications that develop or use informatics in the context of developing medical devices and instrumentation would be referred to BTSS or SSMI; if the focus is on informatics, it would be referred to BCHI.

BCHI has the following shared interests outside the SBIB IRG:

• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: In general, the development of mathematical models would be referred to BST; if the purpose of the model is to inform medical decision making the application would be referred to BCHI.
  
  
• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG, the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG, the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN], the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] IRG, and the Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG: Grant applications that focus on computational neuroscience should be referred to BST, BBBP, BDCN, MDCN, or IFCN rather than to BCHI.
  
  
• With organ-system and disease IRGs: Applications in which informatics is used as a tool in the biomedical discovery process, or to support clinical studies, would be assigned to the scientific review group dealing with the particular biomedical or clinical topic.  If the focus of the application is on informatics, but uses a biomedical discovery, process, or clinical question to demonstrate and/or validate the informatics approach, it would be referred to BCHI.

[BTSS Roster]

Applications reviewed by the Bioengineering, Technology, and Surgical Sciences Scientific Review Group integrate physical, chemical, or mathematical sciences and engineering principles to study physiology, medicine, behavior, or health.  These applications exhibit a systematic, quantitative, and integrative way of thinking about and approaching the solution of problems important to physiology and clinical medicine.  They advance fundamental and applied concepts, creating knowledge for enhancing the function and recovery of organ systems; or they develop innovative medical instruments, materials, processes, implants, devices, and informatics approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of disease.  Surgical science applies biomedical devices and instruments to the diagnosis, and treatment of disease and injury.  Pre-clinical studies involving the application of devices and instrumentation are also included.

Specific areas covered by BTSS:

• Development of advanced tools and techniques that permit tissue engineering.
  
  
• Development of cellular and tissue-engineered constructs, including: design, construction, and pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of function.
  
  
• Development of therapeutic devices and systems (such as artificial organs and cardiovascular devices), implantable medical devices (such as stents, grafts, and valves), and devices for the delivery of bio-molecules and drugs.
  
  
• Application of biomedical technology to diagnosis, measurement and instrument-development.
  
  
• Design, development and evaluation of medical devices, using animal models and pre-clinical human studies.
  
  
• Design and development of endosurgical procedures, catheter-based surgery, minimally invasive surgery, microsurgical procedures, monitoring devices, and robotics.
  
  
• Vertically integrated development of medical devices from bench to bedside, including: pre-clinical human studies, translational development, and clinical validation.
  
  
• Fluid mechanics studies of circulation, microcirculation, and transport systems.
  
  
• Development and evaluation of surgical systems and technologies using animal models and pre-clinical human studies.
  
  
• Biomechanics, including: tissue and organ mechanics and the mechanics of injury. 

BTSS has the following shared interests within the SBIB IRG:

• With Biomedical Imaging Technology [BMIT]: Studies of the development of new technology, system design, detector methods or image acquisition systems would be referred to BMIT; applications
  that emphasize the integration of physical, chemical, mathematical or engineering principles in the study of physiology or medicine would be referred to BTSS.
  
  
• With Biomedical Computing and Health Informatics [BCHI]: Grant applications that focus on informatics would be referred to BCHI; while those that develop or use informatics in the context of developing medical devices or instrumentation would be referred to BTSS.
  
  
• With Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Trauma [SAT]: Grant applications focused on anesthesiology, critical care, surgery, sepsis, and wound repair would be referred to SAT; applications in which the emphasis is on the integration of physical, chemical, mathematical or engineering principles in the study of physiology, medicine, or surgery would be referred to BTSS.

BTSS has the following shared interests outside the SBIB IRG:

• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: In general, applications concerned with the fundamental aspects of biomaterials and biocompatibility, cell and tissue engineering, or molecular and cellular mechanics would be referred to BST; grant applications involving the integration of physical, chemical, mathematical or engineering principles in the study of physiology or medicine would be referred to BTSS. In general, applications proposing the development of molecular or nano-scale vehicles to deliver drugs, genes, or gene products would be referred to BST; applications proposing the development of macroscopic vehicles to deliver therapeutic agents would be referred to BTSS.
  
  
• With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: There is a shared interest between CVS and BTSS in the bioengineering design and development of implantable cardiovascular devices.  Applications should be assigned to BTSS or to CVS depending on the focus of the study.
  
  
• With the Musculoskeletal, Oral, and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG: In general, studies of orthopedic and dental devices would be referred to MOSS; studies involving tissue engineering could be referred to MOSS or to BTSS depending on the focus of the study.
  
  
• With the Digestive Sciences [DIG] IRG: In general, applications concerned with the kinetics or metabolism of pharmaceuticals would be referred to DIG; those focused on the development of the drug delivery system would be referred to BTSS.
  
  
• With all organ-specific IRGs: In general, studies focused on a particular organ system would be referred to the appropriate organ-specific IRG; applications where the emphasis is on the integration of physical, chemical, mathematical or engineering principles in the study of the physiology or pathology of the organ system would be referred to BTSS.
  

[SAT Roster]

The Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Trauma Scientific Review Group reviews grant applications in the complementary disciplines of surgery and anesthesiology, as well as in surgical critical care.  Sepsis studies that are reviewed by SAT are in general limited to multi-organ or systemic host injury responses to complex insults such as trauma, disseminated infection, or surgical stress; many such responses occur as postoperative complications.   Anesthesiology and surgical critical care are more comprehensively reviewed.  

Specific areas covered by SAT:

• Metabolic, hormonal, or inflammatory/immune injury responses to trauma, burn, sepsis, hemorrhage, ischemia-reperfusion, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or surgical stress.
  
  
• Genetic determinants of response to injury, and genetic or pharmacologic approaches to promote modulation of injury.
  
  
• Pathogenesis and amelioration of shock and multiple organ dysfunction/failure.
  
  
• Pathogenesis/amelioration of hypoxic or oxidative cell/ tissue insults.
  
  
• Multi-modal treatment of critical injury, including nutritional support.
  
  
• Wound healing, including tissue repair/regeneration.
  
  
• Pharmacology of general and local anesthetics,
  including mechanisms of general and local anesthesia and of anesthetic side effects.
  
  
• Pain mechanisms and pain management in surgery and anesthesiology.
  
  
• Surgical aspects of organ, tissue, and cellular transplantation.
  
  
• Surgical aspects of organ preservation.
  
  
• Surgical approaches to organ/tissue-specific disease, injury, or repair.

SAT has the following shared interest within the SBIB IRG:

• With Bioengineering, Technology, and Surgical Sciences [BTSS]: Applications dealing with anesthesiology, surgical critical care or multi-organ or systemic injury responses to complex insults in the perioperative setting would in general be referred to SAT; those in which the emphasis is on integrating physical, chemical, mathematical or engineering principles with the above areas would be referred to BTSS.

SAT has the following shared interest outside the SBIB IRG:

• With the Genes, Genomes, and Genetics [GGG] IRG:  In general, applications that focus on genetics would be referred to GGG; applications that focus on injury or the treatment of injury, including those with a genetic component, would be referred to SAT.
  
  
• With the Immunology [IMM] IRG:  In general, applications dealing with inflammatory injury responses mediated by immune activation in trauma, burn, wound, hemorrhage, ischemia-reperfusion, or post-operative sepsis would be referred to SAT; those dealing with response to inflammatory injury in a non-surgical context would be referred to IMM.  In general, organ/tissue/cellular transplantation applications that are immunology focused (e.g., that deal with recipient rejection of, or tolerance to, donor xeno- or allografts) would be referred to IMM; transplantation applications that focus on surgery, for example, studies of organ/ tissue/ cell injury responses to hypo- or normo-thermic ischemia-reperfusion insult would be referred to SAT.
  
  
• With the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM] IRG: In general, applications focusing on immune responses to local and/or disseminated infection (i.e., post operative wound infection, abscess or sepsis) would be referred to SAT; applications focusing on immune response to infection in a non-surgical context, or which focus on the infectious agent, would be referred to IDM.
  
  
• With the Hematology [HEME] IRG: In general, applications dealing with hypo- or hyper-coagulability or complement activation in the context of surgery (trauma, hemorrhage, post-operative sepsis) would be referred to SAT; those dealing with coagulability or complement activation in non-surgical contexts would be referred to HEME.
  
  
• With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG:  In general, studies of cardiovascular problems, including studies of cardiac function in response to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury associated with cardiac surgery or cardiopulmonary bypass would be referred to CVS. Those dealing with ischemia-reperfusion injury to organs/ tissues in a surgical context would be referred to SAT.
  
  
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: In general, studies of metabolic or hormonal responses to hypoxic, oxidative, or surgical insults, nutritional support in the context of surgical care (including the treatment of burns, trauma and sepsis) would be referred to SAT.  Studies of nutritional support in the treatment of metabolic (excluding those of the digestive system) or hormonal disorders and diseases would normally be referred to EMNR.
  
  
• With the Digestive Sciences [DIG] IRG: In general, applications dealing with gastrointestinal aspects of trauma, burns, and surgical critical care would be referred to SAT; applications focused on ischemia would be referred to DIG or SAT depending on the focus of the study.  Applications focused on nutritional support in the treatment of digestive diseases would be referred to DIG; studies of nutritional support in the context of surgical care (including the treatment of burns, trauma and sepsis) would be referred to SAT.  Applications focused on other aspects of the gastrointestinal system would be referred to DIG.
  
  
• With the Respiratory Sciences [RES] IRG:  In general, applications dealing with pulmonary aspects of trauma, burns, ischemia, and surgical critical care would be referred to SAT; applications dealing with other aspects of the lung, including responses of the pulmonary system to surgical procedures, would be referred to RES.
  
  
• With the Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG: In general, studies of neural mechanisms and perception of pain would be referred to IFCN; studies of pain the context of surgery or anesthesia would be referred to SAT.
  
  
• With organ-specific IRGs:  In general, studies of organ-specific disorders treated surgically would be referred to the appropriate organ-specific IRG; sdealing with multi-organ or systemic injury responses to organtudies (1) -specific disorders (e.g., hemorrhagic shock from a ruptured aortic aneurysm or sepsis developing from a liver abscess) or (2) focused on the design, development, or validation of novel surgical procedures would be referred to SAT.

[SBIR/STTR Rosters]

The Small Business Biomedical Imaging [SBMI] Scientific Review Group reviews SBIR and STTR grant applications involving basic, applied and pre-clinical aspects of the design and development of medical imaging systems, their components, software and mathematical methods, and related technologies.  Also reviewed are proposals involving the application and validation of in vivo human and animal imaging, including early phase clinical aspects of medical imaging systems, agents, software and mathematical methods, or related technologies.  During testing, the underlying technologies may be refined or optimized in response to research questions and clinical needs.

Specific areas covered by SBMI:

• Prediction, selection, and monitoring of therapeutic response by administration of agents accompanied by imaging to detect the location, amount, and fate of normal and pathologic structures. This implies multi-temporal image-based evaluation of tracers and metabolites in a detailed anatomic framework that could require multiple modalities and post-processing of data sets.
  
  
• Diagnosis of functional disorders and classification of tissue as normal or pathologic based on exogenous agents that may be tailored to specific cellular processes or genetic expressions.
  
  
• Studies of component technologies used in the design, development, implementation, testing, and application of imaging systems (such as: image detectors and related energy conversion devices, ionizing and non-ionizing detectors, magnets and coils).
  
  
• Physical and mathematical approaches to the development of medical imaging devices and systems (hardware and software): for example, the analysis of complex dynamical systems and the application of methods of applied mathematics to solving inverse problems using iterative, non-iterative, deterministic, and probabilistic approaches.
  
  
• Medical image processing methods: display, and computational resources for reconstruction, registration, segmentation, visualization, and analysis of 2-, 3- and 4- or higher dimensional data sets.
  
  
• Analysis of medical images in conjunction with other sources of non-image data including: multi-media data, data transmitted and archived in databases for data mining, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and computer-aided diagnosis.
  
  
• Presentation for human observers, images derived from voluminous multi-dimensional data sets by visualization, including: man-machine interfaces; real-time interactive systems; multi-modality fusion; multi-temporal data sets; and workstation software and hardware design, implementation, and psychophysical testing.
  
  
• Development of image-based methods for characterizing tissues using estimates of their local and global biophysical, biomechanical, bioelectrical, biochemical, metabolic, and biological properties.
  
  
• Correlative and comparative studies of normal and pathologic states using multi-modal, multi-temporal, and multi-dimensional imaging systems and techniques.
  
  
• Image-guided interventions in integrated diagnostic and therapeutic systems.  These often require high performance computing and display for interactive man-machine environments.
  
  
• Integration of unique imaging systems to accomplish specific tasks.
  
  
• Evaluation of prototype and widely available medical imaging systems and accessories, when there are improvements in underlying technologies.
  
  
• Methodology for validating medical imaging systems, including: reference objects, databases, quality control criteria, software metrics, and related components.
• Use of imaging to predict, select, and monitor therapeutic responses.
  
  
• Applications of imaging systems and modification of diagnostic methods for use in: screening, characterizing physiological effects (such as normal tissue tolerance or low-level radiation effects), and assessing risk.
  
  
• Use of principles of psychophysical experimentation and modeling to develop medical-image-observer performance metrics, calibration standards, and simulations of an ideal observer.
  
  
• Development of surrogate endpoints based on quantitative imaging for use in clinical trials of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and other therapeutic interventions.
  
  
• Development and application of standards for control of image quality and imaging software using reusable, portable, and extensible open source approaches.
  
  
• Synthesis of new diagnostic agents or therapeutic pharmaceuticals used in medical imaging studies.

SBMI has the following shared interest within the SBIB IRG:

• With Biomedical Computing and Health Informatics [BCHI]: In general, grant applications that develop or use informatics in the context of developing medical imaging devices and instrumentation would be referred to SBMI; those that focus on informatics would be referred to BCHI.

SBMI has the following shared interests outside the SBIB IRG:

• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: The development of instrumentation, techniques, or procedures for imaging molecules or organelles is an area of shared interest.  If the purpose of imaging is to address questions of pathology, diagnosis, or treatment assignment would be to SBMI.  If the objective of the imaging is to investigate mechanisms or fundamental biological questions, assignment would be to BST.
  
  
• With organ-system and disease IRGs: In general, applications for which the emphasis is on the design or development of medical imaging systems, their components, or software would be referred to SBMI; where the emphasis is on obtaining structural, functional, or behavioral information, the application would be referred to an organ-system or disease IRG.

[SBIR/STTR Rosters]

The Small Business Bioengineering, Surgical Sciences, and Technology Scientific Review Group reviews grant applications for the small businesses initiative programs (SBIR and STTR) involved in innovative research and technology development of biomedical devices and systems for treating human diseases.  They involve integration of biomedical devices into living systems; or propose systematic, quantitative, and integrative approaches to thinking about and addressing problems important to physiology or clinical medicine.

These bioengineering and surgical science projects integrate physical, chemical, or mathematical sciences and engineering principles into the study of biology, medicine, behavior, and health. They develop innovative biologics, materials, processes, implants, and devices, for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of disease.  Surgical sciences integrate the device and instrumentation applications into living systems.  Studies involving minimally invasive surgery, microsurgery, computer-assisted surgery, and robotics are reviewed in this scientific review group.  Pre-clinical studies and studies focused on applications of device/instrumentation are included.

Specific areas covered by SBTS:

• Therapeutic devices and systems: including artificial organs, implantable medical devices, bio-molecule delivery/immobilization devices, and prosthetic devices.
  
  
• Advanced techniques and devices that permit tissue engineering, endosurgical approaches, catheter-based surgery, minimally invasive surgery, microsurgical procedures, robotics, and image-guided intervention.
  
  
• Development of cellular and tissue-engineered constructs, including: design, construction, and pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of function.
  
  
• Development of vertically integrated medical devices, including: pre-clinical human studies, translational medical device development and clinical device validation.
  
  
• Optimization of design, development of standards, and monitoring and evaluating medical devices.

SBTS has the following shared interest within the SBIB IRG:

• With Small Business Biomedical Imaging [SBMI]: Grant applications proposing the design or development of medical imaging systems, their components, software, or methods of image analysis would be referred to SBMI.  Applications proposing the design or development of diagnostic or therapeutic devices or their components would be referred to SBTS.

SBTS has the following shared interests outside the SBIB IRG:

• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: In general, bioengineering projects would be referred to BST if the focus of the study is technology development or if the results of the developmental effort could apply to multiple devices; if specific medical or medical research device(s) are being developed, the project would be referred to SBTS, or to an organ-system IRG.
  
  
• With the organ-system IRGs: Applications having a bioengineering or device development focus could be referred to SBTS or to the organ-system IRG depending on the focus of the application.  In general, if the device relates to multiple organs, the application would be referred to SBTS.

[SBIR/STTR Rosters]

The Small Business Bioelectromagnetics Special Emphasis Panel reviews applications on the development of instrumentation to use electromagnetic technology for imaging and therapeutic uses.

Scientific review groups of the SBIB IRG, particularly those reviewing applications in surgery and biomedical imaging have shared interests with all the clinical IRGs in CSR.  The scientific review groups of the SBIB IRG that review bioengineering have shared interests with both the clinical and basic science IRGs.

[SBIR/STTR Rosters]

The Small Business Biomedical Sensing, Measurement and Instrumentation Scientific Review Group reviews grant applications for the small businesses initiative programs (SBIR and STTR) involving biomedical sensing, measurement, and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic instrumentation.  Research that focuses on the development of innovative sensors may range from fundamental physical, mechanical or chemical transduction through basic measurement principles to the design of novel instruments for clinical use.

Specific areas covered by SSMI:

• Sensor technology: use of sensor technology (including micro- and nanotechnology and micro-electromechanical systems) in the development of medical and medical research instrumentation.
  
  
• Measurement devices and systems: Instruments for the physiological monitoring of patients or experimental animals.
  
  
• Instruments for the diagnosis or treatment of disease.
  
  
• Techniques and technology for processing and controlling physiological signals.
  
  
• Techniques and technology for remote medical diagnosis and computer-assisted diagnosis and therapy.

SSMI has the following shared interests within the SBIB IRG:

• With Small Business Biomedical Sensing, Measurement and Instrumentation [SBMI]: Grant applications proposing the design or development of medical imaging systems, their components, software, or methods of image analysis would be referred to SBMI.  Applications proposing the design or development of instruments for diagnosing disease or physiological monitoring of patients or experimental animals would be referred to SSMI.
  
  
• With Small Business Biomedical Sensing, Surgical Sciences and Technology [SBST]: Grant applications involving the use of biomedical devices for diagnosing or treating human disease would be referred to SBST; if the focus is on instrument development the application should be referred to SSMI.
  
  
• With Biomedical Computing and Health Informatics [BCHI]: Grant applications that focus on informatics would be referred to BCHI; those that develop or use informatics in the context of developing medical devices and instrumentation would be referred to SSMI.

SSMI has the following shared interests outside the SBIB IRG:

• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: In general, applications would be referred to BST if the focus of the proposal is technology development, if the instrument being developed will be used in basic research, or if the purpose of the instrument is not known; if the instrument will have medical or medical research applications the proposal would be referred to SSMI.
  
  
• With the organ-system IRGs: Applications having a bioengineering or instrument development focus could be referred to SSMI or to the organ-system IRG depending on the focus of the study.  In general, studies relating to multiple organs would be referred to SSMI.

* If the total number of SBIR/STTR grant applications assigned to is SSMI and SBST is small the two will meet as a single scientific review group.

[SBIR/STTR Rosters]

This Special Emphasis Panel reviews applications dealing with the development and delivery of novel in vivo cancer-specific image acquisition or enhancement technologies and methods for biomedical imaging and image-guided interventions and therapy for cancer. 

Specific areas covered by SBIB (13): 

• Novel single and multi-modality molecular imaging and spectroscopy systems
  
  
• Novel single and multimodality anatomical and functional imaging systems, methods, agents, and related software
  
  
• Development and optimization of efficient imaging systems for cancer screening
  
  
• Imaging for diagnosis, staging, or monitoring the effects of cancer therapy
  
  
• Image-guided biopsy (IGB), Image-guided therapy (IGT), and Image-guided interventional (IGI) procedures

 SBIB (13) has the following shared interests outside the SBIB IRG: 

• With Radiation Biology and Therapeutics Special Emphasis Panel [ONC (11)]: In general, development and testing of imaging devices and nuclear medicine technologies for cancer diagnosis should be assigned to SBIB (13). Studies of radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer would be assigned to RBT [ONC (11)].

Bioengineering and Imaging  

[Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging, and Bioengineering (SBIB) Integrated Review Group]

[ F15 Roster ]

The F15 study section reviews fellowship applications in clinically-oriented areas of imaging, surgery, bioengineering and computer/informatics. Basic, applied and pre-clinical aspects of the design and development of medical imaging systems, their components, software, and mathematical models, for studies at the organ, small or large animal, and human scale are included. Proposals involving the application and validation of in vivo animals in animals or humans, including early phase clinical studies of medical imaging systems, molecular probes and contrast agents, software, molecular imaging techniques and related technologies are also reviewed here.  Surgical proposals involving trauma, anesthesiology, wound healing, sepsis and pain management are reviewed in SBIB, as well as proposals focused on the technology surrounding the surgical sciences. The focus of the computer/informatics area is on methods, techniques and software development primarily related to clinical problems. Examples of specific areas include:

•            Development and evaluation of surgical systems, therapeutic devices and systems
•            Design, development, implementation and testing of imaging systems, including pre-clinical, Phase I, and Phase II clinical trials
•            Development of tissue engineered constructs
•            Multi-model treatment of critical injury
•            Organ preservation
•            Pathogenesis and amelioration of shock
•            Application of intelligent systems to clinical problems
•            Application of data analysis, management and mining to medical records, picture archiving, teleimaging, etc.
•            Development of telemedicine systems
•            Processing of medical images
•            Characterization of tissues by imaged based methods
•            Image guided surgical interventions
•            Medical image observer performance
•            Prediction, selection and monitoring therapeutic response by administering agents and imaging; synthesis of new diagnostic agents
•            In vivo strategies for characterizing tissues
•            Development of surrogate endpoints based on quantitative imaging

Shared interests:

With F04A (Chemical and Bioanalytical Sciences):   Fellowship applications that address the synthesis, isolation and structural determination of small molecules for drug delivery, structure-function relationships of enzymes and metalloproteins, characterization of biologically relevant macromolecules including biopolymers and biomaterials, or the development of analytical instrumentation or biosensors may be assigned to F04A. Fellowship applications addressing the development of diagnostic agents for imaging may be assigned to F15.

With F14 (Technology Development): Fellowship applications that are concerned primarily with bioengineering, microscopic imaging and technology development in support of the basic and biological sciences may be assigned to F14; fellowship applications that are concerned primarily with bioengineering, bioimaging and technology development in support of the clinical and surgical sciences may be assigned to F15.

With organ system and disease fellowships review groups:  Fellowship applications that emphasize design or development of medical imaging systems, software, or validation of an in vivo approach may be assigned to F15. If the emphasis is on the use of imaging as a tool, the application should be referred to the fellowship study sections in IRGs dedicated to specific organ systems or diseases.