Contact:

Keyvan Farahani, Ph.D.
Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis
Cancer Imaging Program, NCI
EPN, 3006
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: (301) 451-2651
E-Mail: farahani@nih.gov

Objective of the Project:

The purpose of this initiative is to support the integration of component technologies for Image Guided Interventions (IGI), including interventional devices, molecular probes, and imaging modalities into deliverable systems optimized for cancer, and their subsequent clinical evaluation in cancer patients. These developments are important for a systematic approach in streamlining the advancement of cancer-specific IGI as a variety of devices and probes will be required to screen, diagnose, and treat cancers. Areas of activity targeted by this initiative include, but are not limited to, research and development in the integration and optimization of the following component systems on commercial imaging platforms:

1. Energy delivery and monitoring
2. Drug and gene delivery
3. Real-time data registration, analysis, and display
4. Robotics
5. MEMS and nano-technology
6. Device-tracking
7. Physiological monitoring
8. Use of intraluminal devices such as balloons, stents, endoscopes, and coils.

Description:

In the context of this initiative, "integration" refers to the integration at the hardware and software levels when appropriate, in order to allow centralized, imaging-based operation and control of the IGI system. SBIR or STTR Phase I applications are expected to target the feasibility of systems integration and projection or modeling of performance characteristics of IGI technologies, in preparation for the Phase II research. Phase I applications may request a minimum of six months and up to two years of support and a budget not to exceed total costs of $150,000 per year. Phase II proposals are expected to focus on one or both tasks of systems integration and clinical evaluation, depending on the maturity of technologies and complexity of each task. Phase II applications may request up to four years of support. Phase II budgets for total costs not to exceed $1,000,000 per year may be considered under this initiative if the time period, efforts, and budget are well justified. Applicants will be expected to submit either a combined Phase I and II application for the Fast Track accelerated review or a Phase II application as previously described if they have completed the Phase I application through another SBIR/STTR program. The length of this initiative is two years, with two cycles per year.