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Introduction to Medical Imaging

Muyinatu Bell, PhD

Introduction to Medical Imaging is both a beginner's guide and an expert's cheat sheet to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems. The course will cover common imaging methods used in hospitals today i.e., x-ray The basic principles, instrumentation, and applications of each imaging modality will be presented with interactive lectures and comprehensive quizzes from an enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructor. Assignments will test theoretical knowledge and demonstrate practical applications. The course will take approximately 5 hours to complete. Upon completion, you will command respect from your healthcare provider as a knowledgeable patron of medical imaging procedures.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Master the fundamentals of medical imaging systems
  • List common uses of x-ray, ct, mri ultrasound, and photoacoustic imaging
  • Know the primary advantages and disadvantages of each method
  • Understand the comparative costs
  • Look at any medical image and determine if it was created using one methods covered in class
  • Excel in academic, medical, and/or clinical programs requiring this basic knowledge

Syllabus

Overview

Overview of course goals and expectations

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • Noninvasiveness of Imaging
  • Medical Imaging Theory
  • Timeline of Medical Imaging
  • Temporal and Spatial Resolution
  • Cost Comparisons
Read more

Test your knowledge about basic principles all medical imaging scientists understand

Understand basic principles, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of x-ray imaging

Detailed overview of section on projection x-ray imaging. The remaining sections follow this same general outline.

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • EM Radiation
  • Atomic Structure
  • Electron Structure
  • Ionization
  • X-Ray Interactions with Matter
  • Compton Scattering Equation

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • X-ray Tubes
  • Image Formation
  • Collimator
  • Anti-Scatter Grid
  • Image Examples
  • Adverse Effects
  • Dose and Dose Rate
  • Geiger Counter
  • Protective Equipment
  • Pros & Cons

Have you or someone you know ever had a broken bone? This lecture describes how some bone fractures are classified using x-ray images.

Projection X-ray
Understand basic principles, advantages, and disadvantages of CT imaging

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • CT Slice Nomenclature
  • Pixels vs. Voxels
  • Projection vs. Tomography
  • Equipment
  • Imaging Methods
  • Sinogram

Stretch your mind with this lecture and try to predict the appearance of different sinograms for different geometrical targets.

Learn radon transform math and and apply it to algebraic matrix reconstruction principles to make your very own 4-pixel CT image

Represent your CT data using g(R,theta) notation

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • Backprojection
  • Filtered Backprojection
  • Image Formation Recap
  • Dose-Quality Trade-off
  • Image Quality Metrics
  • Example Images
  • Noise Artifacts
  • Pros & Cons
CT Imaging
Understand basic principles, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of ultrasound imaging

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • Ultrasound System Architecture
  • Probe Components
  • Piezoelectric Effect
  • Transverse vs. Longitudinal Waves
  • Compression and Rarefaction
  • Reflection, Transmission, and Refraction
  • Acoustic Impedance
A Note on Refraction and Sound Speed

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • Pulse Echo Imaging
  • Beamforming
  • Envelope Detection
  • Time-Depth Relationship
  • A-mode, B-mode, M-mode
  • Image Examples

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • Speckle
  • Clutter
  • Shadowing
  • Speckle Tracking
  • SLSC
  • Doppler Imaging
  • Recent Advances
  • Pros & Cons
Sound In, Sound Out

This my research paper describing one of the many benefits of 3D speckle tracking. You should be able to understand most of the details within after completing this section of the course.

This is another one of my research papers. It describes additional methods that can be used to track tissue motion and compares them against each other. This is the most comprehensive study of advanced tracking methods for the liver to date.

Understand basic principles, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of MRI

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • MRI System Components
  • The Electromagnet Properties
  • Proton Response to Magnetic Field
  • Precession
  • Larmor Frequency
  • Magnetization Vectors

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • RF Coils
  • Proton Response to RF Energy
  • Faraday Induction
  • Flip Angle Measurements
  • Gradient Coils
  • Slice Selection
More Details on the Larmor Frequency and Flipping Protons

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • Magnetization Vector Recording
  • Obtaining Image Contrast
  • Example Images
  • MRI Safety
  • Noise Artifacts
  • Pros & Cons

Ever wondered what the brains of patients with neurological diseases looked like? Satisfy your curiosity with this lecture.

Flip, flip, spin
Recap and Outlook

By now, you have all of the information you need to determine which imaging method made these brain images. Look for key features that are unique to each imaging method.

Solutions to "Guess That Image"

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • Light and Sound Relationship
  • Contrast Mechanism
  • Common Applications

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Small Lasers
  • SLSC Applied to Photoacoustic Imaging
  • Interventional Imaging Potential

This lecture includes the following key topics:

  • Reasons to Include Robots
  • Eye Protection
  • Pros & Cons
Identify the Imaging Method
Help me help you (and future students like you). After completing the lectures, let me know whether or not this course fulfilled you expectations and met our initial learning objectives.
Short and Sweet Course Feedback

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores medical imaging principles, methods, and applications in healthcare, ensuring command of the field among non-expert healthcare providers
Provides a strong foundation in medical imaging fundamentals for beginners and enhances the knowledge of experts, making it suitable for learners with varying experience levels
Taught by an experienced and knowledgeable instructor with expertise in medical imaging
Includes interactive lectures and comprehensive quizzes for better understanding and knowledge retention
Examines common imaging modalities, including x-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and photoacoustic imaging
Develops an understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, and applications of each imaging method, allowing learners to make informed choices
Provides theoretical knowledge and practical applications through assignments, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience
Covers the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems, offering a comprehensive understanding of the field
Includes research papers authored by the instructor, providing valuable insights into the latest advancements in medical imaging
Emphasizes the importance of noninvasiveness in medical imaging, highlighting its benefits for patients
This course may require access to specific software or equipment for practical assignments, which could pose a barrier for learners without access to these resources
While the course covers a range of imaging methods, it does not delve deeply into advanced techniques or specialized applications, which may be of interest to learners seeking more comprehensive knowledge

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Medical Imaging with these activities:
Review basic physics
Review the basic principles of physics, such as forces, motion, and energy.
Show steps
  • Read through your old notes or textbooks.
  • Do some practice problems.
  • Take a practice quiz.
Review human anatomy
Review the basic structure and function of the human body.
Browse courses on Human Anatomy
Show steps
  • Read through your old notes or textbooks.
  • Do some practice problems.
  • Take a practice quiz.
Volunteer at a hospital or clinic
Volunteer at a hospital or clinic to gain hands-on experience with medical imaging equipment and procedures.
Browse courses on Medical Imaging
Show steps
  • Contact your local hospital or clinic and ask about volunteer opportunities.
  • Complete the necessary volunteer training.
  • Start volunteering and helping out with medical imaging tasks.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Attend a medical imaging workshop
Attend a medical imaging workshop to learn about the latest advances in the field.
Browse courses on Medical Imaging
Show steps
  • Find a medical imaging workshop that you are interested in.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop and learn about the latest advances in medical imaging.
Create a diagram of a medical imaging system
Create a diagram that illustrates the different components of a medical imaging system and how they work together.
Show steps
  • Research the different components of a medical imaging system.
  • Sketch out a diagram of the system.
  • Label the different components of the diagram.
  • Write a brief description of how the system works.
Practice interpreting medical images
Practice interpreting medical images to improve your ability to identify and diagnose diseases.
Browse courses on Image Analysis
Show steps
  • Find a collection of medical images online.
  • Study the images and try to identify the different anatomical structures.
  • Look up the normal and abnormal appearances of the different anatomical structures.
  • Practice interpreting the images and diagnosing the diseases.
Discuss medical imaging cases with classmates
Discuss medical imaging cases with classmates to improve your understanding of the different imaging modalities and how they are used to diagnose diseases.
Browse courses on Case Studies
Show steps
  • Find a group of classmates to study with.
  • Choose a medical imaging case to discuss.
  • Research the case and prepare a presentation.
  • Present the case to your classmates.
  • Discuss the case with your classmates.
Contribute to an open-source medical imaging project
Contribute to an open-source medical imaging project to gain experience with real-world medical imaging applications.
Browse courses on Medical Imaging
Show steps
  • Find an open-source medical imaging project that you are interested in.
  • Read the project documentation and get familiar with the codebase.
  • Start contributing to the project by fixing bugs, adding new features, or improving the documentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Medical Imaging will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear Medicine Technologists help doctors diagnose and treat disease using radioactive isotopes and imaging techniques. This course may be useful for Nuclear Medicine Technologists who need to gain a better understanding of the underlying principles of Medical Imaging.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers design and develop medical devices and systems, including Imaging technology. This course may be useful for Biomedical Engineers who need to enhance their knowledge of the principles of Medical Imaging.
MRI Technologist
MRI Technologists operate MRI machines to produce images of the human body for diagnostic purposes. This course may be useful for MRI Technologists who need to enhance their knowledge of the principles of MRI and how it is used to produce medical images.
Medical Imaging Analyst
Medical Imaging Analysts use their knowledge of medical Imaging to develop and implement new imaging technologies and applications. This course may be useful for Medical Imaging Analysts who need to gain a better understanding of the principles of Medical Imaging and how it is used in the field.
Radiology Technologist
Radiology Technologists perform imaging procedures such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. This course may be useful for Radiology Technologists who need to review the principles of Medical Imaging.
Ultrasound Technologist
Ultrasound Technologists use ultrasound imaging to capture images of internal organs and structures. This course may be useful for Ultrasound Technologists who wish to enhance their understanding of ultrasound Imaging physics.
Radiation Therapist
Radiation Therapists treat cancer by administering radiation therapy to patients using advanced Imaging technology. This course may be useful for Radiation Therapists who wish to understand how radiation affects the human body and how to effectively use radiation therapy to treat cancer.
Dosimetrist
Dosimetrists calculate the dosage of radiation to be delivered to patients undergoing radiation therapy. This course may be useful for Dosimetrists who need to enhance their knowledge of the principles of Medical Imaging and how it is used in radiation therapy.
Cardiovascular Technologist
Cardiovascular Technologists use various imaging techniques to assess the heart and blood vessels. This course may be useful for Cardiovascular Technologists who need to gain a better understanding of the principles of Medical Imaging specifically related to the cardiovascular system.
Radiologist
Radiologists use their knowledge of anatomy, pathology, and imaging techniques to interpret medical images and diagnose diseases. This course may be useful for Radiologists who need to refresh their knowledge of imaging methods.
Radiation Safety Officer
Radiation Safety Officers oversee the safe use of radiation in various settings, including medical Imaging facilities. This course may be useful for Radiation Safety Officers who need to gain a better understanding of the principles of Medical Imaging and how it is used safely.
Medical Equipment Repair Technician
Medical Equipment Repair Technicians install, maintain, and repair medical equipment, including Imaging devices. This course may be useful for Medical Equipment Repair Technicians who need to gain a better understanding of the principles of Medical Imaging and how it is used in the field.
Health Physicist
Health Physicists work to protect people and the environment from harmful radiation. This course may be useful for Health Physicists who need to understand the principles of medical Imaging and how it can be used safely.
Medical Physicist
A Medical Physicist uses their deep understanding of physics to design and use Medical Imaging systems. Medical Physicists typically hold a PhD in Medical Physics. This course may be useful for those without a PhD or who need a refresher on the fundamentals of Medical Imaging that are essential to their work.
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Medical Laboratory Scientists perform a wide range of laboratory tests to detect, diagnose, and treat diseases. Some of the tests involve analysis of body fluid samples using Imaging technology. This course may be useful for Medical Laboratory Scientists who need to understand the principles of imaging and how it is used in laboratory testing.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Medical Imaging.
Provides background in physics of all medical imaging modalities, including x-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine.
Is organized according to imaging modalities and provides a comprehensive overview of the field. It is useful as a reference book for medical students, residents, and professionals.
Provides comprehensive coverage of medical image processing, including image acquisition, processing, analysis, and visualization. It is useful as a textbook or reference book for medical students, residents, and professionals.
Progresses and builds upon the basic knowledge of medical imaging from the ground up. It is known for being an excellent reference book for medical imaging scientists, professionals, and students.
Provides a comprehensive overview of radiological physics and radiation dosimetry. It is useful as a textbook or reference book for medical students, residents, and professionals.
Provides a comprehensive atlas of clinical imaging, including images from all major imaging modalities. It is useful as a reference book for medical students, residents, and professionals.

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