Bioimaging - EEC 476

Bioimaging - EEC 476

• Course code: fgq054j

Recommended Textbook

• Stewart C. Bushong, Radiologic Science for Technologists: Physics, Biology, and Protection, 10th ed., Mosby, 2012. (ISBN 978-0323081351)
• The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging by Jerrold T. Bushberg, J. Anthony Seibert, Edwin M. Leidholdt Jr, John M. Boone (ISBN 978-0-7817-8057-5)

Course Outline

• X-ray imaging
• Mammography
• CT
• Fluoroscopy
• MRI

What is Medical Imaging?

• Medical imaging visualizes body parts, tissues, or organs to aid diagnosis, treatment, and disease monitoring.
• It encompasses radiology, nuclear medicine, optical imaging, and image-guided intervention.

Why Use Medical Imaging Techniques?

• Provides insights into the human body without invasive procedures like surgery.
• Prevents infection risk and unnecessary surgery.

Overall Concept

• Object is scanned by an imaging device.
• Data is processed.
• Imaging algorithm reconstructs a cross-sectional image.

Medical Imaging Modalities

• X-ray
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound
• General Nuclear Medicine (Gamma Cameras, Cardiac Cameras)
• Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
• PET/CT

Differences Between Imaging Modalities

• X-ray: 2D images from a stationary source.
• CT: 3D images from a circular source (slices).
• MRI: 3D images from magnetic fields.
• Ultrasound: 2D or 3D images using sound waves.
• Nuclear Medicine: 2D or 3D images using gamma ray emitting isotopes.
• Gamma Camera: 2D images.
• Cardiac Cameras: Designed for 3D heart pictures.
• SPECT: 3D images.
• PET: 3D images using positron emitting isotopes.

Imaging Modalities (Categorized)

• Ionizing Modalities: Plain X-ray, CT, Nuclear imaging, PET and PET CT
• Non-ionizing Modalities: MRI, US & Doppler

Multi-Modality Scanners

• Some scanners combine 2 modalities (e.g., PET/CT, PET-MR, SPECT/CT).
• Images are taken sequentially or simultaneously and fused.

Virtual Medicine

• Virtual colonoscopy, endoscopy, arthroscopy
• Virtual therapy and surgery planning
• Training platform

History of Medical Imaging

• 1895: Roentgen discovers X-rays
• 1896: X-rays used in diagnosis and therapy
• 1901: Roentgen awarded Nobel Prize
• 1922: Compton describes X-ray scattering
• 1929: Rotating anode X-ray tube introduced
• 1930: Tomographic devices developed
• 1932: Blue tint added to X-ray film
• 1951: Multidirectional tomography introduced
• 1955: Ultrasound for medical diagnosis
• 1960: First use of endoscope
• 1973: First computed tomography (CT) imaging system and MRI
• 1979: Nobel Prize for CT
• 1990: Helical CT introduced
• 1991: Twin-slice CT developed
• 1998: Multislice CT introduced
• 2002: PET placed into routine clinical service
• 2003: Nobel Prize for MRI

Anatomic vs. Functional Imaging

• MRI: Anatomical information (Structure)
• PET: Functional information (Activity)

Medical Imaging Planes

• Axial (transverse): Perpendicular to the body's long axis.
• Sagittal: Divides the body left to right.
• Coronal: Divides the body front to back.

Medical Imaging Coordinates

• Superior/inferior, left/right, anterior/posterior.
• Left/right seen from the patient's perspective.

Patient Coordinate System

• LSA (left, superior, anterior) coordinate system (used in CT).
• Positive direction conventions are applied.

Intrinsic Coordinate System

• Describes spatial dimensions of the patient.
• Voxel-based coordinates in the image or volume.

PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System)

• Efficient system for transporting patient medical images.
• DICOM standard for digital image communication.

NITI (Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative)

• Challenges with older image formats and orientation
• DICOM files store more information and offer structured reports.

X-Ray Imaging (Radiography)

• Outline: X-ray production, system circuits diagram, X-ray interaction with matter, and radiologic unit safety.

X-Ray Production

• Bremsstrahlung X-rays: Electron slowing by target nucleus.
• Characteristic X-rays: Outer-shell electron filling inner-shell void.
• Tungsten target material.
• Anode heat: Most kinetic energy is converted into heat.

X-Ray Production (details)

• A K-shell electron is removed from a tungsten atom, and replaced by an L-shell electron.
• The energy is 69 keV (K-shell) - 12 keV (L-shell) = 57 keV.
• Other important X-ray characteristics.
• Various tables of characteristic X-ray energy values.
• Spectrum of bremsstrahlung and characteristic radiation (Tungsten target, 90 kVp).
• Moseley plot of characteristic X-rays.

Test your knowledge on the essential concepts of bioimaging covered in the EEC 476 course. This quiz focuses on various imaging techniques such as X-ray, CT, MRI, and their applications in medical diagnostics. Enhance your understanding of the physics and biology behind medical imaging as outlined in the recommended textbooks.