# Novel tetrahedron beam CT for point-of-care imaging in ear, nose and throat imaging

> **NIH NIH R42** · TETRAIMAGING, LLC · 2022 · $1,168,381

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Point-of-care imaging is highly desired in otolaryngologic clinics for the diagnosis of ear, nose and throat
(ENT) diseases including cancers. Due to limited image quality, current cone-beam CT (CBCT) products act
not as a substitute but rather as a complement to diagnostic Multi-slice CT (MSCT) in maxillofacial and ENT
imaging. The emerging multi-source x-ray source technology suggests new designs of CT systems that may
have faster imaging speed, improved image quality, reduced radiation exposure, and compact geometries.
Tetrahedron Beam Computed Tomography (TBCT) is a compact volumetric CT based on linear array multi-
pixel x-ray sources which can produce diagnostic-quality volumetric images but in a much more compact
geometry than CBCT. During Phase I study, we successfully developed a benchtop ENT-TBCT system
using a multi-pixel thermionic emission x-ray (MPTEX) source developed in-house and a state-of-art
commercial photon-counting detector (PCD), and demonstrated the superior image quality that TBCT can
achieve. During the Phase II study, we will further refine the MPTEX source and develop a clinical
prototype system. To achieve this goal, we propose to perform studies to achieve the following Specific
Aims (SA): SA 1: To develop a rotatable sealed MPTEX source; SA 2: To develop a clinical ENT-TBCT
prototype on a rotating gantry; and SA 3: To develop advanced image reconstruction algorithm and perform
benchmark imaging studies. The outcome of this research will be a highly effective point-of-care diagnostic
imaging modality for otolaryngologic clinics. Future commercialization of the ENT-TBCT system will improve
the quality and efficacy by supporting prompt diagnosis and treatment of ENT cancers and other diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10546823
- **Project number:** 2R42EB026401-02A1
- **Recipient organization:** TETRAIMAGING, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Emre Toker
- **Activity code:** R42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,168,381
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10546823

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10546823, Novel tetrahedron beam CT for point-of-care imaging in ear, nose and throat imaging (2R42EB026401-02A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10546823. Licensed CC0.

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