Medical Imaging

Code:

EBE0193

Acronym:

IM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biomedical Engineering

Instance: 2014/2015 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Engineering Physics
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Bioengineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MEB	15	Syllabus	1	-	6	56	162
MIB	10	Syllabus	4	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The objective of this curricular unit is the acquisition of basic knowledge in Physics relevant for the activities involved in the operation, maintenance or investigation with the equipment used in Medical Imaging. This knowledge includes basic Physics principles, basic aspects of the engineering of the imaging equipment and the assessment of the image characteristics regarding their use in Medicine.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the curricular unit, proficiency in the following areas must be attained:
Basic principles in radiation Physics. Describe the structure of matter and its relation with radiation; describe the different types of radiation and their propagation; list the physics quantities and their units necessary to describe radiation and its propagation; describe the production and detection of radiation; describe the interaction of radiation with matter, particularly its use in medical imaging (x- and gamma-rays); explain the use of radiation in Medical Imaging; solve simple exercises in these subjects.
Basic engineering concepts in medical imaging equipment. Enumerate the different imaging modalities; relate the modalities with the underlying physics mechanisms; identify the components and construct general block diagrams of the corresponding medical equipment; describe for each modality the acquisition of an image from the detection of radiation and the acquisition parameters; assess the output image from the Medical Imaging requisites point of view.  
Basic experimental Physics. Perform didactic experiments: apply the Physics principles; define goals and procedures of the experiments; carry out the experiments and collect the data; analyze the results; report the conclusions. 
Calculus and diagram analysis. Use spreadsheets or small programs to analyze data from experiments and to solve problems in radiation Physics. Interpret and explain the information in technical specifications of equipment. Extract information, from several data sources, regarding practical aspects of radiation physics: nuclide charts, decay diagrams, dose charts, attenuation graphs, etc.  
Personal development. Work efficiently in a group; communicate with efficiency, written and orally. Develop:  autonomous work; self- and peer evaluation skills; critical thinking and reasoning.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Advisable: Fundamentals of Physics (FFIS) and Mathematics (MAT).

Program

1-Fundamentals of radiation Physics: structure of matter and radiation; particulate radiation; electromagnetic radiation; ionizing radiation; radiometry and photometry; production of radiation; interaction of radiation with matter; detection of radiation; biological effects of radiation.
2-Radiology: production of x-rays, attenuation of x-rays, dosimetry. Planar radiography: instruments, image acquisition and acquisition parameters; noise and signal-to-noise ratio. Computed Tomography (CT): equipment, image acquisition and quality.
3-Nuclear Medicine: properties of nuclei, decays and radioactivity; radiotracers and functional aspects. Scintigraphy: instruments, image acquisition and characteristics. Computed Emission Tomography systems - SPECT and PET: production of radiotracers; detectors; instrumentation; image formation and quality; advantages and disadvantages.
4-Radiation protection and Dosimetry.
5-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): physics principles; precession and Larmor frequency; transverse and longitudinal magnetization; radio-frequency excitation; relaxation; spin echoes. NMR imaging: instrumentation; contrast; image.
6-Ultrasound: ultrasound physics; sound propagation; Doppler effect; beam and focusing; ultrasound systems and instruments; pulse-echo ultrasound; scanning methods; image and its characteristics.

Mandatory literature

Jerrold T. Bushberg [et al.]; The essential physics of medical imaging. ISBN: 978-0-683-30118-2
Jerry L. Prince, Jonathan M. Links; Medical imaging signals and systems. ISBN: 0-13-065353-5
Nadine Barrie Smith, Andrew Webb; Introduction to medical imaging. ISBN: 978-0-521-19065-7
Jennifer Prekeges; Nuclear medicine instrumentation. ISBN: 978-0-7637-6638-2
Michel Décorps; Imagerie de résonance magnétique. ISBN: 978-2-7598-0000-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

- Lectures (“aulas teórico-práticas”-TP) 2x1,5h/week. Lectures may consist of several activities: presentation and discussion of concepts; listing of the objectives for the subject under study and the corresponding reading assignments and homework; explanation of the working principles of imaging equipment; simulations and experiments; problem solving; continuous evaluation activities such as short tests; visits to Hospital imaging departments.
- Laboratory classes (“práticas laboratoriais”-PL) 1x1h/week: simple laboratory experiments with x-rays (using a didactic x-ray apparatus), gamma-rays (using a scintillator detector), and ultrasounds.

keywords

Physical sciences > Physics > Applied physics > Medical physics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho laboratorial	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	106,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

In order to achieve a successful continuous evaluation (CE) it is necessary to:
- Comply with the minimum attendance to each class type (75%);
- Accomplish at least 80% of all the proposed individual and group activities.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final mark (FM) is computed using
FM = 0,25 CE + 0,75 FE
- CE the continuous evaluation mark;
- FE the final exam mark, which must not be less than 10 (in 20).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not planned.

Internship work/project

Not planned.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

By exam, under the appliable grading rules.

Classification improvement

By exam, under the appliable grading rules.