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Phys194
Basic Principles of Medical Imaging
Syllabus
Part I. X-Ray Based Imaging (3 weeks)
I-1. What is x-ray?
Electromagnetic waves; photon; structure of atoms.
I-2. Interactions between x-ray and matter
Absorption and scattering of x-rays; fluorescence; ionization.
I-3. Dosage and safety
Damages caused by x-rays; safety measures.
I-4. Use of contrast media
The purpose of using a contrast medium; examples.
I-5. Computed tomography (CT) Scans
Planar, cross-sectional and 3D imaging; CT configurations.
Part II. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (2 weeks)
II-1. What can we see with MRI?
Bones vs. soft tissues; x-rays vs. MRI; examples.
II-2. How MRI works
A simplified explanation.
II-3. Contrast MRI
How it works; contrast media.
II-4. How safe MRI is?
Magnetic force; allergy and toxicity of contrast media.
Part III. Ultrasound Imaging (2 weeks)
III-1. What is ultrasound?
Sound waves; interaction with human body.
III-2. Imaging from echoes
How it works; imaging quality and safety issues.
III-3. Seeing the blood flow with ultrasound
The Doppler effect; speed and flow rate of blood flow.
Part IV. Nuclear Medicine (2 weeks)
IV-1. SPECT and PET scans
Why PET (or SPECT) scan?
IV-2. What is going on in the nucleus?
Radioactivity; How PET and SPECT work.
Part V. Specialized Imaging (2 weeks)
V-1. x-ray angiography
How it works; examples.
V-2. Functional MRI (fMRI)
Blood-oxygen-level dependence (BOLD) in brain function and MRI signal.
V-3. Image fusion
Combination of different images; examples.
V-4. Imaging for treatments and operations
Imaging guided intervention, treatment, and operation.
Part VI. Comparing Different Imaging Technologies (2 weeks)
VI-1. Limitations, risks, pros and cons
Diagnostic purpose; quality of image; side effects; cost.
VI-2. A few application examples
Broken bones; cancer; tapeworms; blood clots, etc..
VI-3. Typical questions
Which imaging means should be used? How safe is that?
Some uncommon but important questions.