Instrumentation Applied to Medicine
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Introduction to the applications of physics in the field of medicine, with particular reference to both the diagnostic and therapeutic use
of ionizing radiation.
of ionizing radiation.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, student will have acquired the following knowledge
·Main features of Radiotherapy equipments
·Radiation beams generation for external radiotherapy and brachytherapy
·Beams properties and clinical dosimetry, for both photon and electron beams
·Dose calculation and dose distribution by treatment planning systems dedicated to radiotherapy.
·Quality control for radiotherapy equipments
·Imaging devices in nuclear medicine (SPECT, PET).
·Radionuclide for nuclear medicine imaging
·Filtering and Reconstruction techniques for tomographic imaging
·Planar and tomographic quality controls
·Absorbed dose calculation in nuclear medicine application (internal dosimetry).
·Main features of Radiotherapy equipments
·Radiation beams generation for external radiotherapy and brachytherapy
·Beams properties and clinical dosimetry, for both photon and electron beams
·Dose calculation and dose distribution by treatment planning systems dedicated to radiotherapy.
·Quality control for radiotherapy equipments
·Imaging devices in nuclear medicine (SPECT, PET).
·Radionuclide for nuclear medicine imaging
·Filtering and Reconstruction techniques for tomographic imaging
·Planar and tomographic quality controls
·Absorbed dose calculation in nuclear medicine application (internal dosimetry).
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
External beam radiotherapy
Radiotherapy equipment: the X-ray tube and the Cobalt Therapy unit.
Radiotherapy equipment: the linear accelerator, types of radiotherapy machines.
Concepts of kerma and dose for photon beams.
Physical and dosimetric characteristics of a photon beam for Radiotherapy: PDD and its dependencies.
Physical and dosimetric characteristics of a photon beam for Radiotherapy: TPR, TMR and OF.
Calculation of Monitor Units for a photon beam in different geometric conditions.
Spatial characteristics of a beam of photons for radiotherapy.
Physical and dosimetric characteristics of an electron beam for radiotherapy: PDD and its dependencies.
Physical and dosimetric characteristics of an electron beam for radiotherapy: calculation of the Monitor Units for an electron beam.
Description of a computerized system for planning radiotherapy treatments (Treatment Planning System TPS).
Methods of correction of dose distributions for irregular surfaces and tissue heterogeneity.
Brachytherapy
Introduction to Brachytherapy: Radiotherapy treatments of brachytherapy in prostate cancer, gynecological cancers and eye cancers.
Dose calculation in brachytherapy.
Nuclear Medicine
The physical principles of the gamma camera
The evolution from the gamma camera system to the SPECT tomography
The physical principles of positron emission detection
The PET tomography, the latest generation tomographs
Hints on multimodal image recording techniques (TC, MR and SPECT/PET)
Hints at tomographic reconstruction techniques in Nuclear Medicine: filtered back projection, iteration reconstruction techniques
Radioisotopes used for diagnostics and metabolic therapy
Dose estimation in Nuclear Medicine
Radiotherapy equipment: the X-ray tube and the Cobalt Therapy unit.
Radiotherapy equipment: the linear accelerator, types of radiotherapy machines.
Concepts of kerma and dose for photon beams.
Physical and dosimetric characteristics of a photon beam for Radiotherapy: PDD and its dependencies.
Physical and dosimetric characteristics of a photon beam for Radiotherapy: TPR, TMR and OF.
Calculation of Monitor Units for a photon beam in different geometric conditions.
Spatial characteristics of a beam of photons for radiotherapy.
Physical and dosimetric characteristics of an electron beam for radiotherapy: PDD and its dependencies.
Physical and dosimetric characteristics of an electron beam for radiotherapy: calculation of the Monitor Units for an electron beam.
Description of a computerized system for planning radiotherapy treatments (Treatment Planning System TPS).
Methods of correction of dose distributions for irregular surfaces and tissue heterogeneity.
Brachytherapy
Introduction to Brachytherapy: Radiotherapy treatments of brachytherapy in prostate cancer, gynecological cancers and eye cancers.
Dose calculation in brachytherapy.
Nuclear Medicine
The physical principles of the gamma camera
The evolution from the gamma camera system to the SPECT tomography
The physical principles of positron emission detection
The PET tomography, the latest generation tomographs
Hints on multimodal image recording techniques (TC, MR and SPECT/PET)
Hints at tomographic reconstruction techniques in Nuclear Medicine: filtered back projection, iteration reconstruction techniques
Radioisotopes used for diagnostics and metabolic therapy
Dose estimation in Nuclear Medicine
Prerequisites for admission
none
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
· The Physics of radiation therapy, F.M. Khan, third edition, Lippincott Williams&Wilkins
· La fisica in medicina nucleare, M. Marengo, eds Patron,
· PET, Physics, Instrumentation and Scanners. M. E. Phelps
Selected scientific papers on specific topics.
Course slides
· La fisica in medicina nucleare, M. Marengo, eds Patron,
· PET, Physics, Instrumentation and Scanners. M. E. Phelps
Selected scientific papers on specific topics.
Course slides
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination
Professor(s)