You will explicitly learn about the different imaging systems, their function and application. These systems are:
- 2D X-ray radiography with different imaging techniques
- Fluoroscopy and image intensifiers
- 3D Computer Tomography
- Gamma Camera and scintigraphy
- Single Photon Computed Tomography
- Positron Emission Tomography
You will also get an insight to the development of new detection and imaging techniques and organ dedicated imaging systems.
The two major medical imaging modalities, transmission and emission, are both based on ionising electromagnetic radiation as information carrier from the organ to be depicted to the imaging detector system. The course treats the theory of the physical processes and presents detectors and instruments and gives a perspective on the advances in this field. Consequences of ionising radiation on living tissues are presented.
Transmission imaging where the anatomy of the organ is shown is the most widely used technique and is performed both in 2D (i.e. radiography, fluoroscopy) and in 3D mode (Computed Tomography). In emission imaging the physiology of the organ is studied in vivo with high sensitivity in systems that can produce images in 2D (Gamma Camera) or in 3D (SPECT and PET). All these imaging systems will be discussed thoroughly. The laboratory exercises of the course are devoted to the presentation of medical imaging systems with working demonstrators.
Following this course, you will gain knowledge and understanding:
- About nuclear structure, natural and artificial radioactivity, and nuclear reactions
- How ionising radiation like X-ray or radioactive substances for medical imaging are produced
- How the ionising radiation interact with matter
- How dose is measured and calculated
- How detectors for ionising radiation are constructed and their signals are treated
- How imaging systems for ionising radiation are functioning, data collected, and images are reconstructed