OPTI 440/540

7/06

OPTI 440/540.  Optical Physics (3) I.  (Identical with PHYS 440/540 and MCB 440/540).  Applications of physics in medicine.  Topics may include X-Ray, MRI imaging techniques, interaction of radiation and tissue, nuclear medicine, visual auditory processes and basic physics of the human body. 
P, OPTI 330 or PHYS 103 or 132.

Course Objectives: 

The objective of this course is to familiarize the student with imaging methods in medicine, particularly in diagnostic radiology as it is found at UMC.

  • Projection radiography
  • Computed tomography (CT)
  • Nuclear medicine
  • Ultra-sound imaging (US)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) selected topics such as:
  1. The human visual process
  2. Projection imaging process
  3. Reconstruction from projections
  4. Generation of Brems-Strahlung
  5. Interaction of x-rays with matter
  6. X-ray detectors and their performance
  7. Signal, noise and information
  8. Elements of digital imaging.
  • Particular highlights include demonstrations in the UMC Radiology Department and the chance for hands-on experience in terms of a special project.

Course Outline:

  1. Overview of imaging in medicine, the human observer

  2. The human visual process (quantum limitations, Rose model, threshold contrast, just noticeable difference, perceptual linearization), image science

  3. Linear systems review:  linearity, Fourier transform, modulation transfer function (MTF) imaging with photons (x-ray and g-gray)

  4. Interaction of photons with matter

  5. Dose and exposure

  6. Detectors:  film, intensifying screen, film-screen combination, the Fuji-plate, flat-panel detector, Gamma ray camera, x-ray image intensifer

  7. Projection radiography:  geometric magnification, focalspot, penumbra

  8. Classical motion tomography

  9. Computed tomography:  reconstruction from projections, digital methods, practical consideration

  10. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

  11. Digital radiography:  digital intravenous angiography (DSA), computed radiography (CR), dual energy subtraction.  Diagnostic ultrasound

  12. Physical principles

  13. Advanced techniques; flow measurements, Doppler.  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

  14. Physical principles

  15. Pulse sequence spin-echo, inversion recovery

  16. T1-weighting, T2-weighting.  The digital photoelectronic radiology department

  17. PACS:  picture archiving and communication system

  18. Digital detectors (CCD, flat panel detectors)

  19. Digital displays (CRTs, flat panel displays).  Medical and biomedical considerations

  20. Benefits and risks of imaging with ionizing and non-ionizing.

Grading Criteria:

  • Homework  30%

  • Exams  70%

Textbook:

  • The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging, 2nd edition, by Bushberg JT, Siebert JA, Liedholdt EM, and Boone JM.  (Lippingcott, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, philadelphia, Hong Kong, 2002)
  • Frequent class notes from the additional reading material and various other sources.

Additional Reading:

  • Barrett, Harrison H., Swindell, William, Radiological Imaging – The Theory of Image Formation, Detection, and Processing, volumes 1 and 2 (Academic Press, New York, London, Paris, San Diego, San Franciso, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, 1981.

  • Perry Sprawls Physical Principles of Medical Imaging, (Medical Physics Publishing, Madison, Wisconsin).

  • Huang, H.K. PACS; Picture Archiving and Communication Systems in Biomedical Imaging, (Wiley-VCH-Publishers, New York, 1996).

  • Albert Macovski Medical Imaging Systems, Prentice-Hall.

  • Harold Elford Johns and John Robert Cunningham The Physics of Radiology, 3rd Edition, 7th printing, (Charles C. Thomas, Sspringfield IL, 1974).

  • The Physics of Medical Imaging, Medical Science Seried, edited by Steve Webb, Joint Dept. of Physics, Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hosptial, Sutton, Surrey.  Adam Hilger, Bristol and Philadelphia.

  • William R. Hendee, Medical Radiation Physics, 2nd edition, Year Book Medical Pulishers, Chicago, London.

  • Thomas S. Curry III, James E. Dowdey, Robert C. Murry, Jr., Christensen’s Introduction to the Physics of Diagnostic Radiology, 3rd edition, (Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, 1984).