Harrison Kim, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Radiology's Division of Advanced Medical Imaging Research, was granted a $25,000 award from the UAB Research Foundation to collaborate with an external vendor in developing a minimum viable product for his MRI phantom invention. This award will aid Kim in advancing the prototype to a commercial-grade device, paving the way for its broader clinical application.

The UAB Research Foundation (UABRF), a nonprofit established in 1986, is responsible for ensuring UAB's compliance with federal research laws and managing technology commercialization. Its mission is to support the university's long-term goals through professional, faculty-responsive management.

“The long-term objective of my research is to reduce the financial burden on patients. While this may seem unconventional for a research scientist, the concept is straightforward: by automating diagnostic radiology decision-making, we can reduce the workload for each radiologist, which in turn can lower the unit cost of services,” Kim explained. “Achieving this goal requires two key advancements: first, accurate quantification of imaging data, and second, AI-assisted decisions based on that data.”

Multiple software and hardware tools have been developed, including a point-of-care calibration device for MRI scanners. This device has significantly improved the accuracy of diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy monitoring for critical diseases such as pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, and polycystic kidney disease. However, the technology’s full potential could only be realized through seamless integration into routine clinical workflows. To address this need, the Portable Phantom Toolkit (PPT) was created as a prototype for easy implementation in clinical settings.