Medical Physics
Semester 1st ()
Code MED_131
Hours Teaching 3 hours, Laboratory 0 hours, Tutorial 0 hours , Clinical Training 0 hours (per week)
Teachers
Description
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Bioelectricity (the nervous system and the neuron, electrical potential in neurons, electrical signals from muscles, electrical signals from heart, electrical signals from brain).
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Atomic and nuclear physics and radiation-matter interaction (model of Bohr and wave mechanics, excitation and ionization of atoms, constitution of nucleus - nuclear forces - nuclear fission and nuclear fusion, mechanisms and time interrelation of radioactive decay and emission, interaction of charged particles and photons of high energy with matter).
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Physics of Diagnostic Radiology (components of radiation imaging systems, projection and tomographic imaging systems, analog and digital image detectors, medical image quality).
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Physics of Nuclear Medicine (criteria for choosing radioisotopes in the differential diagnosis, basic components of imaging systems, statistics in nuclear medicine).
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Physics of Radiation Therapy (teletherapy and brachytherapy, radiation therapy planning, radiation therapy with charged particles).
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Physics of Ultrasonography (wave characteristics, acoustic impedance, ultrasound-matter interaction, Dobbler effect, production and detection of ultrasound, ultrasound imaging, biological effects).
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Physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (nuclear magnetic resonance, relaxation times, gradient fields, magnetic resonance imaging, basic pulse sequences for image acquisition, influence of sequences on image quality).
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Radiation Protection (basic principles of radiation protection, units and methods of dosimetry, radiation protection of patient and personnel, legislation and guidelines of radiation protection).
Scope
The aim of this course is the comprehension of the physical principles of Radiation Physics (both ionizing and non-ionizing) and Bioelectricity, and their application for the development of methods in diagnosis and therapy in Medicine, as well as the comprehension of functions of the human body, utilizing simulation methods.
The course provides the basic background knowledge in atomic and nuclear physics and in radiation-matter interaction, that is necessary for a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications, as well as the radiation protection of patients and personnel.
The course is being taught through lectures, as well as tutorials and laboratory exercises addressed to small groups. Four (3-hour) tutorials take place addressing case-based learning and three (2-hour) laboratory exercises. In the latter, experimental apparatus is used for data acquisition, while data analysis is performed.
By the end of this course the student is expected to:
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comprehend and be familiarized with the basic concepts and principles of Radiation Physics, related to processes and technology of diagnosis and therapy in Medicine.
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comprehend functions of the human body.
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comprehend the concepts of measurement, experimental error and data analysis.
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develop skills in using experimental apparatus.
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develop critical thinking for solving complex problems and familiarize with the use of simulation methods.
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Comprehend the principles and significance of the radiation protection of patients and personnel in the medical environment.
Reading Material
Συγγράμματα:
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“Ιατρική Φυσική” Ευάγγελος Γεωργίου, Εκδόσεις Π.Χ. Πασχαλίδης.
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«Η Φυσική στη Βιολογία και την Ιατρική», Paul Davidovits, Επιστημονικές Εκδόσεις Παρισιάνου Α.Ε. Αθήνα.
Συμπληρωματικό εκπαιδευτικό υλικό:
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Σημειώσεις-Παρουσιάσεις Διαλέξεων
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Οδηγοί Μελέτης Εργαστηριακών και Φροντιστηριακών Ασκήσεων