Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC) from Coursera

Hello and welcome to this course!

The NPAP - Medical Applications of Accelerators is one out of three courses in the Nordic Particle Accelerator Program (NPAP). Here you will be taken on a tour focusing on the medical applications of particle accelerators. You will see that there are two very important, but different, applications of accelerators in hospitals. The first application concerns radiotherapy of tumours and the other concerns the production of medical nuclides for diagnosis and treatment. Both will be included in this course and described through four modules.

The first module offers the basic principles of radiotherapy from a medical and physics point of view. You there learn about the main components of the machines used for radiotherapy and get to know why radiotherapy is important for cancer treatments.

The second module guides you through the different types of linear accelerators used in the machines for radiotherapy. It also describes the design of the treatment head. The design is important because it is the settings of the treatment head that determines the dose and the radiated region. It is also in the treatment head where the dose given to the patient is measured.

In the third module you are introduced to proton therapy. In this type of therapy protons are first accelerated and then guided down to the tumour by magnets. The machines are considerably larger and more expensive than machines used for radio therapy. The module also offers a description and comparison between different types of accelerators, and explains how the protons interact with tissue.

Also ions that are heavier than protons can be used in cancer therapy. This is described in the fourth module, where we also introduce you to the production of medical nuclides. You learn how the nuclides are produces in proton and ion accelerators and how the nuclides come into play at different places in hospitals. Medical nuclides are for instance used in Positron Electron Tomography, PET.

Enjoy!

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the course and radiotherapy

Welcome to this course on medical applications of accelerators. The most important applications of accelerators in medicine are radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging using radionuclides, which both play a very important role in the treatment of cancer. Thus, the course focuses on these two applications of accelerators in medicine. In fact, accelerators for radiotherapy is the largest application of accelerators altogether with more than 11000 accelerators worldwide. These accelerators range from very compact electron linear accelerators with a length of only about 1 m to large carbon ion synchrotrons with a circumference of more than 50 m and a huge rotating carbon ion gantry with a weight of 600 tons. The course starts with an introduction to radiotherapy with focus on the biological properties of ionizing radiation. Subsequently, the electron linac for radiotherapy is presented. The main components of the electron linac are the multi-energy linac structure and the treatment head, which converts the electron beam to the desired dose distribution in the patient. Next, proton accelerators for radiotherapy are discussed with focus on the applied accelerator types and the treatment delivery technologies. Treatment with heavy ions and the challenges of proton and heavy ion therapy are also presented. Finally, the medical application of radionuclides are introduced and the production of radionuclides with cyclotrons is discussed.

Electron linacs for radiotherapy

Proton therapy I

Proton therapy II and production of medical radionuclides

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Expands into a tour of particle accelerators with a focus on medical applications

Applies an interdisciplinary approach to explore both radiotherapy of tumors and manufacturing of medical nuclides

Provides instruction from one of three programs, the Nordic Particle Accelerator Program (NPAP), indicating expertise in the field

Presents four modules to offer a comprehensive view of the subject matter

Requires a physics or medical background to engage fully with the course materials

Reviews summary

Well-received medical physics course

Learners say Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC) is a well-received introduction to medical applications of particle accelerators. They especially like that it covers a wide range of topics, including radiotherapy, heavy-ion therapy, and proton therapy. Students also appreciate the engaging video lectures and clear explanations from Professor Lars Hjorth Præstegaard.

The course is seen as a good starting point for beginners.

"It's a basic but well rounded course mainly for students but also for starting professionals."

"Amazing experience for my first course."

Professor Lars Hjorth Præstegaard was praised for his knowledge and teaching ability.

"Professor Lars Hjorth Præstegaard explains excellent, he is a great physicist."

"I strongly recommend the course for many different professionals, students who work in Medical Physics field or have intention to work in this field."

"Thank you for this introductory overview. It has been a great tool to revise my existing knowledge (diagnostic imaging) and to learn something about the hardware, physics and radiopharmacy of radiation oncology."

Students found the content to be well-explained and informative.

"Very good introduction to the aplication of ionizin radiation and how it is made."

"Even though the lecturer speaks monotonously, he was still able to deliver and I have gained a deeper understanding of electron linacs."

"The videos and articles you have been exceptional."

"The knowledge acquired in this course was of great benefit to me."

A few users mentioned errors in the transcripts and lectures.

"There were a lot of errors in the lecture transcripts, and the lecturer's accent was so pronounced that correct transcripts would have been useful for anyone, let alone for someone who needs to rely solely on the transcript."

"The solutions to the quiz questions were not obtainable from the course materials in many cases, especially the ones with calculations."

Some learners mentioned the monotonous delivery and pronunciation of the instructor as a negative.

"The lecturer is really boring and hard to understand his accent."

"The lecturer was extremely bland and made it a relatively boring lecture."

"Even though the lecturer speaks monotonously, he was still able to deliver and I have gained a deeper understanding of electron linacs."

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 Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC) with these activities:

Review a physics textbook

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Review a physics textbook to refresh on concepts including radiation and the interaction of accelerators and matter.

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Choose a textbook
Identify chapters relevant to radiotherapy
Read and take notes

Pre-Course Accelerator Physics Review

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Review fundamental concepts in accelerator physics to strengthen your understanding of the course material.

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Review the basics of particle accelerators, including their components and principles of operation.
Brush up on concepts of particle interactions with matter, including energy loss processes and scattering.
Refresh your knowledge of beam dynamics and beam transport systems.

Medical Accelerator Technology Workshop

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Attend a workshop that provides hands-on experience with medical accelerator technologies and their applications.

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Register and attend the workshop.
Actively participate in demonstrations and discussions on medical accelerator principles and operation.
Network with experts in the field and learn about the latest advancements in accelerator technology.

Four other activities

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Organize Your Course Materials

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Putting all course materials into a structured framework helps to reinforce understanding of content.

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Gather your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Review course materials and identify key concepts
Create a system for organizing your materials
Add your materials into the system

Radiation Dosimetry Calculations Practice

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Engage in practice exercises to improve your proficiency in calculating radiation doses and understanding their effects.

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Solve problems involving dose calculations for different types of radiation.
Practice using software tools for dosimetry calculations.
Analyze the impact of different beam characteristics and patient parameters on radiation dose distribution.

Medical Applications of Accelerators Poster Presentation

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Create a poster presentation that summarizes key concepts and applications of particle accelerators in medicine.

Browse courses on Radiotherapy

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Research and gather information on the different medical applications of accelerators.
Design and organize the poster, ensuring clear and concise presentation of the information.
Present your poster to classmates or a broader audience, explaining the principles and benefits of accelerator-based medical technologies.

Virtual Reality Simulation of Proton Therapy Treatment

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Develop a virtual reality simulation that allows users to experience and understand the principles and procedures of proton therapy.

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Research and gather information on proton therapy treatment planning and delivery.
Design and develop the virtual reality simulation, ensuring accurate representation of the treatment process.
Test and refine the simulation to provide an immersive and educational experience.

Career center

Learners who complete Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Medical Physicist

Medical Physicists use their understanding of radiation to establish how much radiation should be delivered during radiation therapy and how it should be delivered. They work closely with radiation oncologists to determine the best course of treatment for patients.

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Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapists deliver radiation therapy to patients with cancer. They work under the direction of a Radiation Oncologist and use a variety of machines to deliver radiation therapy.

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Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear Medicine Technologists use radioactive substances to diagnose and treat diseases. They work with patients to administer radioactive substances and then use imaging techniques to create images of the body.

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Radiologist

Radiologists use imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases. They work with patients to perform a variety of imaging procedures, including X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.

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Radiation Oncologist

Radiation Oncologists are doctors who specialize in the use of radiation therapy to treat cancer. They work with patients to determine the best course of treatment and oversee the delivery of radiation therapy.

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Medical Engineer

Medical Engineers design, develop, and evaluate medical devices and systems. They work with a variety of medical professionals to create devices that improve patient care.

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Health Physicist

Health Physicists work to protect people from the harmful effects of radiation. They develop and implement radiation safety programs and conduct research on the effects of radiation on human health.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers use engineering principles to design and develop medical devices and systems. They work with a variety of medical professionals to create devices that improve patient care.

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Medical Dosimetrist

Medical Dosimetrists calculate the amount of radiation that should be delivered to patients during radiation therapy. They work with radiation oncologists and radiation therapists to determine the best course of treatment for patients.

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Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Engineers design, develop, and operate nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities. They also work on the development of new nuclear technologies, such as medical imaging and cancer treatment.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research on a variety of topics, including medical applications of particle accelerators. They work in a variety of settings, including universities, hospitals, and government agencies.

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Teacher

Teachers teach a variety of subjects, including science and math. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, and universities.

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Science Writer

Science Writers write about scientific research for a variety of audiences, including the general public, scientists, and policymakers. They work for a variety of publications, including newspapers, magazines, and websites.

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Patent Attorney

Patent Attorneys help inventors to obtain patents for their inventions. They work with inventors to prepare and file patent applications and represent them in patent disputes.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers write manuals, instructions, and other documents that explain technical information. They work for a variety of companies, including software companies, hardware companies, and manufacturing companies.

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