ERHS 712: Physics of Diagnostic Imaging

Syllabus

Fall, alternate years beginning 2007 (course announcement PDF format)

Class meets M, W & F from 4:00 – 4:50 PM in VTH A234

Instructor Name: Dr. Joseph F. Harmon

Contact Information
Email: Joseph.Harmon@colostate.edu
Phone: (970) 297-4063
Office Hours: VTH Room 152, by appointment

Guest Instructor(s): Drs. Gibbons, Kraft, Marolf, Park, Randall, Valdez-Martinez

Textbook

J. T. Bushberg, et.al. The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging, 2nd Ed (Required)
In addition to the required primary textbook, lecture material will be obtained from the following sources. Students are not expected to purchase these references which include:

T. S. Curry, et.al. Christensen's Physics of Diagnostic Radiology, 4th Ed
A. B. Wolbarst, Physics of Radiology, 2nd Ed
A.G. Haus, The Basics of Film Processing in Medical Imaging
H. E. Johns, J. R. Cunningham, The Physics of Radiology, 4th Ed
F. W. Kremkau, Diagnostic Ultrasound Principles and Instruments, 7th Ed
Current journal articles

Course Description

Didactic lecture style covering the physics of radiography, fluoroscopy, computerized tomography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging.

Course Objectives

Objectives for this course include:

  Learning the physical processes of ionizing and non-ionizing image formation
  Understanding how the various imaging modalities are used in a clinical setting
  Learning how key imaging parameters are varied to reduce patient exposure while optimizing image quality
  Learning methods to utilize the imaging modalities safely
  Providing a comprehensive review of imaging physics for radiology and radiation oncology residents preparing for their specialty board examinations professional practice

Class Schedule

Subject to revision.

Lesson	Date	Topic	Bushberg Reading	Instructor
		Basics of X-Ray Imaging
1	8/24	Introduction to Medical Imaging	1	Harmon
2	8/26	Review of Atomic Physics	2	Harmon
3	8/28	X-ray Unit Generators	5.4-5.6, 5.8	Harmon
4	9/2	Production of X-Rays	3.1, 5.1-5.3, 5.7, 5.9	Harmon
5	9/4	X-ray Interactions & Attenuation	3.2-3.5	Harmon
6	9/7	Filtration, Collimation & Grids	5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.8	Harmon
7	9/11	Screen/Film Image Receptors & Film Processing	6.3-6.6, 7	Harmon
8	9/14	Optimizing Screen-Film Image Contrast & Resolution	6.7, 10.1-10.6	Harmon
		Block II: X-Ray Imaging Applications
9	9/16	Fluoroscopy	9	Harmon
10	9/18	Digital Image Representation	4.1, 4.2, 10.5	Harmon
11	9/21	Digital Image Storage, Distribution & Display	4.6, 11.8-11.10, 17.2	Harmon
12	9/23	Computed Radiography	11.1	Wrigley
13	9/25	Digital Radiography & Fluoroscopy	11.2-11.7	Harmon
14	9/28	Clinical Examples: Planar Analog & Digital Imaging		Randall
15	9/30	Computed Tomography Image Formation & Image Properties I	13.1 - 13.9	Harmon
16	10/2	Computed Tomography Image Formation & Image Properties II	13.1 - 13.9	Harmon
17	10/5	X-ray Quality Assurance Testing		Harmon
18	10/7	X-ray Imaging Radiation Safety (shielding)	23.4	Harmon
19	10/9	Clinical Examples: CT Imaging		Park
20	10/12	Exam 1	n/a
		Block III: Nuclear Imaging
21	10/14	Radioactivity, Radionuclide Production & Radiopharmaceuticals	18,19	Harmon
22	16/16	Radiation Detection Techniques	20.1 - 20.6	Harmon
23	10/19	Planar Imaging	21	Harmon
24	10/21	SPECT & PET Imaging	22	Harmon
25	10/23	Radioisotope Radiation Safety	23.4 - 23.5	Harmon
26	10/26	Clinical Examples: Gamma Ray Imaging		Gibbons
		Block IV: Ultrasound Imaging
27	10/28	Production of Ultrasound	16.3, 16.5	Harmon
28	10/30	US Interaction with Matter	16.1, 16.2, 16.4, 16.11	Harmon
29	11/2	US Imaging I : Beam Properties	16.4	Harmon
30	11/4	US Imaging II : Display Modes	16.5 - 16.7	Harmon
31	11/6	US Imaging III : Doppler	16.9	Harmon
32	11/9	US Image Quality and QA	16.8, 16.10	Harmon
33	11/11	Clinical Examples : US Imaging		Marolf
34	11/13	Exam 2	n/a
		Block V: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
35	11/16	MRI Scanner Design & MRI Safety	15.7, 15.8	Harmon
36	11/18	The NMR Signal	14.1, 14.2	Harmon
37	11/20	Basic Pulse Sequences	14.3 - 14.6	Harmon
38	11/30	MR Image Formation	15.1, 15.2	Harmon
39	12/2	MRI Contrast Agents & Artifacts	15.6	Harmon
40	12/4	Fast, Flow & Functional Imaging	14.7 - 14.9, 15.2, 15.3, 15.5	Harmon
41	12/7	MR Image Quality and QA	15.4	Harmon
42	12/9	Clinical Examples: MR Imaging		Kraft
43	12/11	Review: Practice Raphex Exam		Harmon

Instructional methodology

This class is a combination of lecture, discussion and computer-aided learning.

Mode of delivery: Classroom instruction.

Method of evaluation

Class room participation, class assignments and impromptu quizzes (including practice Raphex exam) will make up 15% of the course grade. The midterm tests and final examination will be a written format comprised of multiple choice, true/false and written paragraph type questions/problems. There will be 2 midterm tests and a final examination, as listed in the course outline.
A combination of the classroom participation grade (15%), the 2 midterm tests (25% each) and the final exam (35%) will comprise the overall course grade. The final examination will be partially cumulative in nature.

F < 60%
D = 60 - 69%
C = 70 - 79%
B = 80 - 89%
A = 90 - 100%

Cheating will not be tolerated.

The first time you are caught cheating you will get a ZERO for the task (exam, quiz, plagiarism on a paper or any other task). Integrity is the cornerstone of all higher education and any infraction, however slight, is not excusable for any reason. If another is found to be complicit in cheating, they too will receive a zero. If you are discovered to be cheating a second time you will receive a failing grade for the class. The Course Director will make the determination if a student has been cheating.

 

Contact Information:

Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
1681 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523

Phone: 970-491-7038
Fax: 970-491-2940