# Commercialization readiness of visual biofeedback to reduce head motion during MRI scans

> **NIH NIH SB1** · TURING MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC · 2024 · $1,147,326

## Abstract

Project Abstract/Summary
 The goal of this CRP application is to successfully commercialize a brain MRI technology that feeds
back head motion measurements derived from our Framewise Integrated Real-Time MRI Monitoring (FIRMM)
software to MRI scan participants in order to reduce head motion via behavioral training. Because MRI
scanning produces high-resolution images and does not expose patients to radiation, it has become an
immensely valuable diagnostic tool, particularly for imaging the brain. Last year, in the United States alone,
there were over 8 million brain MRIs, costing an estimated $20-30 billion. Unfortunately, brain MRIs are limited
by the fact that head motion during the scan can cause the resulting images to be suboptimal or even
unusable. An estimated 20% of all brain MRIs are ruined by motion, wasting $2-4 billion annually. Currently,
there are two predominant strategies to combat head motion: repeat scanning and anesthesia, both of which
are inadequate. Repeat scanning, which consists of acquiring extra images (to ensure enough usable ones
were acquired), increases scanning time and cost, and can result in too few usable images or unnecessary
extra images. Anesthesia, which is given to patients who are likely to move (such as young children), presents
a serious safety risk and is sometimes administered unnecessarily (i.e. the patient could hold still without
anesthesia). Anesthesia is never an option for functional MRI (fMRI), which requires participants to be awake.
 The software-based FIRMM-biofeedback solution we developed uses MR images (as they are being
collected) to compute a patient’s head motion in real time during an MRI scan. The availability of real time
motion information enables more informed anesthesia use and reduce excess scanning, making these
methods safer and more efficient. Armed with real time motion information, scan operators will know exactly
how many usable images have been acquired, preventing the acquisition of too many or too few extra images.
Additionally, providing physicians with quantitative information about patient motion will allow them to make an
informed decision regarding anesthesia, preventing unnecessary sedation.
 FIRMM technology provides a completely new biobehavioral method for combating head motion:
patient biofeedback. FIRMM can translate the head motion information into age-appropriate, visual
biofeedback for the scan participant. By providing feedback to patients and research subjects, the FIRMM-
biofeedback technology helps both pediatric and adult patients remain more still, improving image quality. The
proposed research focuses on completing late-stage development for FIRMM-biofeedback getting ready for
commercialization, by building a marketing and reimbursement strategy. The FIRMM-biofeedback technology
provides patients and research subjects with real time head motion information, with the goal of making MR
scans safer, faster, more enjoyable and less expensive.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10756169
- **Project number:** 5SB1MH126825-03
- **Recipient organization:** TURING MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
- **Principal Investigator:** MAXWELL BERTOLERO
- **Activity code:** SB1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,147,326
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-12-01 → 2025-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10756169

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10756169, Commercialization readiness of visual biofeedback to reduce head motion during MRI scans (5SB1MH126825-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10756169. Licensed CC0.

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