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B M E 580

THE PHYSICS OF MEDICAL IMAGING WITH IONIZING RADIATION

4 credits.

Concepts and principles on the physics of medical imaging systems that form images using high energy photons are presented. Such systems are divided into two categories: (1) those based on the transmission of x-rays through the human body, including radiography, mammography, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography (CT), and (2) those based on the emission of gamma rays or annihilation radiation following radioactive decay of an internal radiolabeled molecule, including the gamma camera, single photon emission tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET) and PET hybrid imaging systems. Emphasis is placed on understanding how physics, system design, and imaging technique determine image performance metrics such as contrast, signal-to-noise ratio, and spatial resolution. Clinical applications and radiation safety concepts are detailed for the different types of imaging systems.

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: PHYSICS/B M E/H ONCOL/MED PHYS 501 and MED PHYS/B M E 573 Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify the physical principles underlying imaging technologies used in radiology and nuclear medicine: radiography, mammography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy, single-photon emission tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET). Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Describe each imaging modality in terms of a general imaging framework in which (i) a form of energy or probe is introduced to the body, (ii) a clinically interesting signal is generated within the body, and (iii) this signal is detected and spatially localized to form an image. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Apply physics and engineering concepts to understand how the design and operation of an imaging system determines the contrast, noise, and spatial resolution of the images produced by the system. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Differentiate the characteristics of radiotracers that make them suitable for research and clinical applications in human physiology. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Identify the defining strengths and limitations with utilizing the imaging modalities for conducting research investigations of human physiology and disease. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify the physical principles underlying imaging technologies used in radiology and nuclear medicine: radiography, mammography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy, single-photon emission tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET). Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Describe each imaging modality in terms of a general imaging framework in which (i) a form of energy or probe is introduced to the body, (ii) a clinically interesting signal is generated within the body, and (iii) this signal is detected and spatially localized to form an image. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Apply physics and engineering concepts to understand how the design and operation of an imaging system determines the contrast, noise, and spatial resolution of the images produced by the system. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Differentiate the characteristics of radiotracers that make them suitable for research and clinical applications in human physiology. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Identify the defining strengths and limitations with utilizing the imaging modalities for conducting research investigations of human physiology and disease. Audience: Graduate

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