# Stationary Digital Tomosynthesis for Transbronchial Biopsy Guidance

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2022 · $706,479

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The recent expansion of lung cancer screening programs in the United States has led to a significant increase
in the number of lung lesions requiring sampling to evaluate their malignancy status. Bronchoscopic based
peripheral lung biopsy offers the lowest rate of procedural complication. However, diagnostic yields have
remained moderate, primarily due to the lack of high resolution, real-time imaging guidance. Techniques such
as endobronchial ultrasound and electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy offer some guidance for the
interventionalist, but remain limited for the necessary fine localization of the biopsy needle tip and lesion just
prior to sampling. Standard CT based imaging approaches are too expensive and cumbersome for intra-
procedural use. We have developed a stationary digital chest tomosynthesis imaging approach based on the
linear x-ray array based on the carbon nanotube field emission sources. Our approach offers the potential for
rapid, high resolution in-plane imaging combined with low-dose stereoscopic imaging, all without the need for
any physical motion of the x-ray source or detector. We seek to refine our stationary chest tomosynthesis
system, evaluate rapid CT to tomosynthesis image registration techniques and integrate the software control
and guidance system in a system for pre-clinical large animal evaluation. Our academic-industrial partnership
will incorporate a team of physicists, computer scientists, radiologists and interventional pulmonologists to
develop this system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242668
- **Project number:** 5R01EB028283-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Yueh Z Lee
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $706,479
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242668

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242668, Stationary Digital Tomosynthesis for Transbronchial Biopsy Guidance (5R01EB028283-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242668. Licensed CC0.

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