Instrumentation Applied to Medicine
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Introduction to the applications of physics in the field of medicine, with particular reference to both the diagnostic and therapeutic use of ionizing radiation.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, student will have acquired the following knowledge
· Main features of Radiotherapy equipments
· Radiation beams generation for external radiotherapy and brachytherapy
· Beams properties and clinical dosimetry, for both photon and electron beams
· Dose calculation and dose distribution by treatment planning systems dedicated to radiotherapy.
· Quality control for radiotherapy equipments
· Imaging devices in nuclear medicine (SPECT, PET).
· Radionuclide for nuclear medicine imaging
· Filtering and Reconstruction techniques for tomographic imaging
· Planar and tomographic quality controls
· Absorbed dose calculation in nuclear medicine application (internal dosimetry).
· Main features of Radiotherapy equipments
· Radiation beams generation for external radiotherapy and brachytherapy
· Beams properties and clinical dosimetry, for both photon and electron beams
· Dose calculation and dose distribution by treatment planning systems dedicated to radiotherapy.
· Quality control for radiotherapy equipments
· Imaging devices in nuclear medicine (SPECT, PET).
· Radionuclide for nuclear medicine imaging
· Filtering and Reconstruction techniques for tomographic imaging
· Planar and tomographic quality controls
· Absorbed dose calculation in nuclear medicine application (internal dosimetry).
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Radiotherapy
· Characteristics and functionality of radiotherapy equipment
· Production of radiation beams for teletherapy and brachytherapy equipment.
· Beam characterization and clinical dosimetry.
· Calculate doses and treatment plans.
· Equipment quality controls.
Nuclear medicine
· Image detection systems in nuclear medicine (SPECT, PET).
· Choice of radionuclides for the clinical image.
· Reconstruction of tomographic images and filtering techniques
· Quality controls on planar and tomographic systems.
· Calculation of the absorbed dose in nuclear medicine (elements of internal dosimetry)
· Characteristics and functionality of radiotherapy equipment
· Production of radiation beams for teletherapy and brachytherapy equipment.
· Beam characterization and clinical dosimetry.
· Calculate doses and treatment plans.
· Equipment quality controls.
Nuclear medicine
· Image detection systems in nuclear medicine (SPECT, PET).
· Choice of radionuclides for the clinical image.
· Reconstruction of tomographic images and filtering techniques
· Quality controls on planar and tomographic systems.
· Calculation of the absorbed dose in nuclear medicine (elements of internal dosimetry)
Prerequisites for admission
1. interaction of radiation with matter.
2. Radioactive decays
3. Basic concepts of gamma spectrometry
4. Basic concepts of dosimetry
2. Radioactive decays
3. Basic concepts of gamma spectrometry
4. Basic concepts of dosimetry
Teaching methods
The teaching method adopted includes lectures and one or two sessions of dose measurements at a linear radiotherapy accelerator, as well as a session in which a typical treatment planning system for radiotherapy is presented.
Teaching Resources
1. The Physics of radiation therapy, F.M. Khan, third edition, Lippincott Williams&Wilkins
2. La fisica in medicina nucleare, M. Marengo, eds Patron,
3. PET, Physics, Instrumentation and Scanners. M. E. Phelps
4. Slides
5. Scientific papers
2. La fisica in medicina nucleare, M. Marengo, eds Patron,
3. PET, Physics, Instrumentation and Scanners. M. E. Phelps
4. Slides
5. Scientific papers
Assessment methods and Criteria
The learning verification method consists of an oral exam in which, initially, the student will have to explain in depth one of the topics of the course. Subsequently, through others questions, the knowledge and ability to describe the physics underlying the radiotherapy and nuclear medicine equipment, as well as dose delivery in patients and image formation, will be assessed.
In general, the exam will be of approximately 45 minutes.
In general, the exam will be of approximately 45 minutes.
Professor(s)