Fundamentals of Biomedical Imaging I
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What you'll learn
Understand the main imaging concepts that characterize the quality of imaging techniques for Signal (SNR) and Contrast (CNR).
Understand the essential principles of ultrasound, X-ray imaging (CT), SPECT, PET.
For each of the above techniques, be aware of the factors limiting the image quality.
Describe/analyse typical applications and recognize the imaging technique used to produce a given image
Details to know
June 2026
30 assignments
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There are 8 modules in this course
Fundamentals of Biomedical Imaging: Ultrasounds, X-ray, positron emission tomography (PET) and applications
Learn how principles of basic science are integrated into major biomedical imaging modalities and the different techniques used, such as X-ray computed tomography (CT), ultrasounds and positron emission tomography (PET). This physics course covers the physical principles of major in vivo bio-imaging modalities and the different imaging techniques. After a short study of ultrasound imaging, you will learn about the different X-ray imaging techniques. The understanding of the interaction of X-rays with tissue will lead to the study of three different techniques: • Computed Tomography (CT) • Emission Tomography • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) This course shows how existing physical principles transcend into bio-imaging and establish an important link into life sciences, illustrating the contributions physics can make to life sciences. Practical examples will be shown to illustrate the respective imaging modality, its use, premise and limitations, and biological safety will be touched upon. During this course, you will develop a good understanding of the mechanisms leading to tissue contrast of the bio-imaging modalities covered in this course, including the inner workings of the scanner and how they define the range of possible biomedical applications. You will be able to judge which imaging modality is adequate for specific life science needs and to understand the limits and promises of each modality. To learn more about biomedical imaging, join us in the second part of this course Biomedical Imaging: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
What's included
4 videos9 readings3 assignments2 plugins
4 videos•Total 51 minutes
- 1.1 What is Biomedical Imaging ?•14 minutes
- 1.2 Optimization of SNR and CNR•16 minutes
- 1.3 Importance of Biomedical Imaging•11 minutes
- 1.4 Examples•10 minutes
9 readings•Total 70 minutes
- Welcome•5 minutes
- Course structure•5 minutes
- Evaluation•5 minutes
- Course discussion•5 minutes
- Search the course•5 minutes
- Where to get help•5 minutes
- Week description•5 minutes
- What you have learned•5 minutes
- Week 1 : Ressources•30 minutes
3 assignments•Total 30 minutes
- Week 1: Graded Quiz•20 minutes
- Introductory question•2 minutes
- Training quiz : Introduction•8 minutes
2 plugins•Total 60 minutes
- Initial survey•30 minutes
- Your feedback•30 minutes
What's included
4 videos3 readings4 assignments1 plugin
4 videos•Total 79 minutes
- Video•30 minutes
- 2.2 Optimizing US frequency and examples•21 minutes
- 2.3 Basic of X-ray imaging•13 minutes
- 2.4 Generation of medical X-rays•16 minutes
3 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Week description•5 minutes
- What you have learned•5 minutes
- Week 2: Ressources•30 minutes
4 assignments•Total 68 minutes
- Week 2 : Graded quiz•40 minutes
- Introductory question•2 minutes
- Training quiz : Ultrasound imaging•14 minutes
- Training quiz : X-ray imaging•12 minutes
1 plugin•Total 30 minutes
- Your feedback•30 minutes
What's included
6 videos3 readings4 assignments1 plugin
6 videos•Total 93 minutes
- 3.1 Basis of contrast for x-ray imaging•12 minutes
- 3.2 Interaction of X-rays with tissue•27 minutes
- 3.3 Interaction of X-rays with tissue II•10 minutes
- 3.4 Tissue dependence of x-ray absorption•16 minutes
- 3.5 Biological effects of ionizing radiation•13 minutes
- 3.6 Radiation protection primer•15 minutes
3 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Week description•5 minutes
- What you have learned•5 minutes
- Week 3 : Ressources•30 minutes
4 assignments•Total 76 minutes
- Week 3 : Graded quiz•40 minutes
- Introductory question•2 minutes
- Training quiz : Compton, photoelectric effect and pair production•18 minutes
- Training quiz : effects of radiation and protection•16 minutes
1 plugin•Total 30 minutes
- Your feedback•30 minutes
What's included
5 videos3 readings7 assignments1 plugin
5 videos•Total 72 minutes
- 4.1 Absorption and x-ray spectrum•17 minutes
- 4.2 CNR in Computed Tomography•11 minutes
- 4.3 Basis of x-ray image reconstruction•14 minutes
- 4.4 Reconstruction algorithm of x-ray images•20 minutes
- 4.5 Computed Tomography, Examples and Summary•9 minutes
3 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Week description•5 minutes
- What you have learned•5 minutes
- Week 4: Ressources•30 minutes
7 assignments•Total 80 minutes
- Week 4 : Graded quiz•36 minutes
- Introductory question•2 minutes
- Training quiz : Absorption & X-ray spectrum•8 minutes
- Training quiz : Factors influencing contrast in X-ray imaging•8 minutes
- Training quiz : Basis of image reconstruction using X-ray absorption•8 minutes
- Training quiz : Reconstruction of X-ray images•8 minutes
- Training quiz : X-ray CT, examples & summary•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 30 minutes
- Your feedback•30 minutes
What's included
6 videos3 readings4 assignments1 plugin
6 videos•Total 82 minutes
- 5.1 Introduction to Emission Tomography•16 minutes
- 5.2 Collimation of emitted x-rays•18 minutes
- 5.3 Attenuation correction•16 minutes
- 5.4 Principle of x-ray detection I•11 minutes
- 5.5 Principle of x-ray detection II•7 minutes
- 5.6 Scatter discrimination and SPECT Summary•13 minutes
3 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Week description•5 minutes
- What you have learned•5 minutes
- Week 5: Ressources•30 minutes
4 assignments•Total 198 minutes
- Week 5 : graded quiz•180 minutes
- Introductory question•2 minutes
- Training quiz : collimation and attenuation•8 minutes
- Training quiz : Principles of X-ray detection•8 minutes
1 plugin•Total 30 minutes
- Your feedback•30 minutes
What's included
5 videos3 readings5 assignments1 plugin
5 videos•Total 82 minutes
- 6.1 Introduction to PET•22 minutes
- 6.2 Types of coincidences measured with PET•18 minutes
- 6.3 Attenuation correction in PET•15 minutes
- 6.4 Resolution in PET imaging•12 minutes
- 6.5 Examples of typical PET tracers•15 minutes
3 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Week description•5 minutes
- What you have learned•5 minutes
- Week 6: ressources•30 minutes
5 assignments•Total 58 minutes
- Week 6 : graded quiz•36 minutes
- Introductory question•2 minutes
- Training quiz : coincidence detection•6 minutes
- Training quiz : attenuation and resolution•8 minutes
- Training quiz : Typical PET tracers & Overview of X-ray Imaging modalities.•6 minutes
1 plugin•Total 30 minutes
- Your feedback•30 minutes
What's included
3 videos3 readings3 assignments1 plugin
3 videos•Total 61 minutes
- 7.1 Compartmental modeling•26 minutes
- 7.2 Tracer kinetics•22 minutes
- 7.3 Metabolism measured by deoxyglucose•13 minutes
3 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Week description•5 minutes
- What you have learned•5 minutes
- Week 7: ressources•30 minutes
3 assignments•Total 32 minutes
- Week 7 : Graded quiz•20 minutes
- Introductory question•2 minutes
- Training quiz: Tracer kinetics and metabolism•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 30 minutes
- Your feedback•30 minutes
What's included
1 reading1 plugin
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
- Course evaluation•30 minutes
1 plugin•Total 30 minutes
- New Plugin Item•30 minutes
Instructor
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