By Sheila Vasconcelos
When Robert Ladkani’s son, Denny, went in for his first MRI study at ImagingNMD at the University of Florida, Ladkani experienced a moment of profound recognition. The MRI scans Denny received as part of an ImagingNMD study on Duchenne muscular dystrophy used a product Ladkani had conceived and brought to market years ago.
This product, developed during Ladkani’s tenure as a radio frequency engineer at Invivo Corporation, was a testament to his dedication to innovation and improving medical technology. Little did he know that this technological creation would intersect with his family during a time of raw vulnerability.
After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Florida in 2002, Ladkani worked for more than a decade at Invivo, a company renowned for its MRI coil products. In 2007, he was tasked with addressing an unmet need in elbow imaging. With a few novel ideas, he developed a prototype that not only exceeded imaging performance criteria, but was also more flexible and lightweight than existing products. This prototype was so well-received that it was eventually applied to all small extremity anatomies. By 2012, the commercial product was released to the market, marking a significant milestone in Ladkani’s career.
Ladkani’s personal life took an unexpected turn when Denny was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or DMD, a rare and serious genetic disorder that affects the muscles, causing progressive weakness. Symptoms typically start in early childhood, and can include muscle weakness, difficulty walking, and heart problems, eventually leading to loss of mobility and independence.
“I had never even heard of Duchenne muscular dystrophy before Denny’s diagnosis,” Ladkani said.
In the search for possible treatments and research, Denny joined a research study with ImagingNMD. Led by Krista Vandenborne, Ph.D., P.T., a distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions, ImagingNMD specializes in using advanced imaging techniques to study neuromuscular diseases. The center’s work focuses on developing new MRI-based methods to better understand, diagnose, and monitor conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Ladkani discovered that researchers at ImagingNMD were using the very same small extremity coil he had developed for their MRI studies.
“On one hand, it was affirming to see my work making a difference for Denny,” Ladkani said, “but it was also a stark reminder of the challenges he faces.”
Despite the mixed emotions, Ladkani found solace in knowing that his efforts in creating new technology were contributing to something greater. Ladkani’s journey with Denny and the connection to ImagingNMD is a poignant reminder of the impact that dedicated research and development can have on individuals and families facing rare conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“I hope sharing our story will inspire others to keep pushing for advancements that can truly make a difference in people’s lives,” Ladkani said.