ECE 380

Image Characteristics and Visual Perception:

Understand the concepts of resolution, point-spread-function, line-spread-function, modulation transfer function, signal-to-noise level, and contrast-to-noise level as they apply to images. (1,2)

Understand the two-dimensional spatial Fourier transform, its properties, its applications to biomedical imaging, and recognize effects of image filtering in various time---frequency and spatial---spatial frequency domains. (1,2,6)

Appreciate the structure and function of the human visual system, from the photoreceptors to the visual processing in the cortex. (1,4)

Know the specific clinical applications of each modality in the course. (2,4,7)

X-Ray Imaging and Computed Tomography:

Comprehend the basic principles behind x-ray-based imaging, the fundamentals of x-ray production, and the role of all elements of an x-ray vacuum tube. (1)

Understand the physics of the three attenuation mechanisms: Rayleigh scattering, the photoelectric effect, and the Compton effect, as well as the different dependencies on tissue type and x-ray energy. (1)

Comprehend the concept of back projection and iterative schemes for data reconstruction, and the progression of first, second, third, fourth and fifth generation computed tomography scanners. (1,2,6,7)

Nuclear Medicine:

Understand the basic principles of nuclear medicine, single photon emission computed tomography, and positron emission tomography, including the origin and detection of natural radioactivity, and the relevance of half-lives. (1)

Know the attenuation of gamma rays in tissue, the principles behind the design of the gamma camera, and the necessity for using collimators. (1,2,6)

Recall the production methods of other radionuclides, the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals, and clinical scanning techniques. (2,3,6,7)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging:

Understand the effect of putting protons inside a magnetic field, the principles discrete energy levels, and the Boltzmann equation relating the populations of quantum energy levels. Reproduce the derivation of the classical equations of nuclear precession and the Larmor equation relating the rate of precession to the strength of the applied magnetic field. (1,2,6)

Comprehend the interactions of the magnetic field produced by a radiofrequency probe and the nuclear spins, the induced precession and the process to give rise to the NMR signal. (1,2)

Know the techniques for measuring spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times, the principles behind frequency encoding, phase encoding, and slice selection in magnetic resonance imaging, and the full implementation of both spin-echo and gradient-echo imaging sequences. (1,2,5,7)

Ultrasound Imaging:

Understand the basic principles of ultrasound, including longitudinal waves, the characteristic acoustic impedance (Z), the intensity reflection coefficient (R), and the basic principles of attenuation of the ultrasound wave - scattering, refraction and absorption. (1)

Know the instrumentation used in clinical ultrasound scanning. Know the characteristics of lateral and axial resolution and what factors affect them. (1,2,6)

Recall the concepts of linear and phased arrays and the A-mode, M-mode, and real-time and static B-mode ultrasound imaging. (1,2)

Optical Biomedical Imaging:

Understand the basic principles of light and how it is absorbed and scattered in biological tissues. Recognize the limits and characteristics of the “biological window” in tissue, and which chromophores are responsible for this window. (1,2,6)

Comprehend light transport methods and models through tissue, including single-backscattering, ballistic and snake photons, and diffusive photons, and how each of these is used for biomedical imaging. (1,2,6,7)

Understand the concept of optical coherence, and how different optical sources produce coherent and incoherent light. (1,2,6)

Visual Perception, Interpretation of Images, and Application and Justification for Biomedical Imaging in Healthcare:

Understand how biomedical imaigng systems are integrated and used in clinical healthcare settings. (4,7)

Learn how radiologists utilize biomedical imaging instruments and coordinate and communicate with other physicians. (3,4,5,7)

Learn how to describe and interpret biomedical images based on image features and underlying physics, and communicate this information to peers. (3,4,5,7)