| CODE | RAD1066 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Devices 1 | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit presents the physics underpinning the safe and effective use of medical devices used in digital projection X-ray imaging: Fluoroscopy, Mammography, Bone Densitometry, Linear Accelerator and Kilovoltage X-ray Unit. The structure and function of the different components of medical devices used in medical imaging and radiotherapy are presented together with an introduction of the effects of exposure parameter optimisation on radiation dose and image quality. The study-unit introduces students to principles of quality assurance,quality control and commissioning for each modality together with concepts of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and Radiology Information Systems (RIS). Examples from clinical radiography practice will be used throughout. Students will have the opportunity to visit both the Imaging and Radiotherapy departments to see the equipment. Study-Unit Aims: The aims of the study unit are to: - Ensure that students become safe practitioners by having a good, practice oriented grounding of the physics concepts and methods underpinning the clinically effective and safe use of radiography devices including: Planar x-rays, Fluoroscopy, Mammography, Bone Density, Linear Accelerator, Kilovoltage X-ray units; - Ensure that students would be able to apply these concepts and methods to their radiographic practice; - Ensure that students know the importance of physics expertise in radiographic practice; and - Show the equipment presented in the classroom in the clinical setting. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe and explain the functions of the components of an X-ray tube; - Explain the principles underlying the functioning of the X-ray imaging devices and of the techniques used in digital radiography and image-intensifier and direct-digital fluoroscopy (including mammography, dental, angiography); - Discuss exposure parameters and their impact on device performance indicators; - Describe and explain the functions the various devices used for x-ray detection; - Describe methods for commissioning, quality assurance, quality control and constancy testing of radiography devices; - Describe and explain the concepts behind the use of PACS and RIS; and - Explain the physics concepts and principles in the design and construction of radiotherapy kilovoltage X-ray units and linear accelerator. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Manipulate digital projection X-ray imaging devices; - Measure device performance indicators which are directly related to image quality using appropriate test-objects; - Select appropriate exposure parameters which impact performance indicators and hence image quality outcomes; - Select optimal beam parameters and accessories for optimisation of radiotherapy treatment (Kilovoltage, Megavoltage and electron beams); and - Perform daily quality assurance tests on radiography devices. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Allisy-Roberts P. J. & Williams J. (2007) Farr’s Physics for Medical Imaging WB Saunders - Ball. J., Moore, A. & Turner, S. (2008). Essential Physics for Radiographers. (4th edition) Oxford: Blackwell Science. - Bomford, C. & Kunkler, I. (editors) (2003) Walter and Miller’s Textbook of Radiotherapy. (6th edition) Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. - Cherry, P. & Duxbury, A. (editors) (2009) Practical Radiotherapy Physics and Equipment. (2nd edition) London: Wiley. - Dendy P. P. & Heaton B., (1999) Physics for Diagnostic Radiology, Instit of Physics Publishing - Graham, D.T., Cloke, P. & Vosper, M. (2007) Principles of Radiological Physics. (5th edition) Oxford: Elsevier Ltd. - Hoskin, P. (editor) (2007) Radiotherapy in Practice: Radioisotope Therapy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Hoskin, P. & Coyle, C. (editors) (2005) Radiotherapy in Practice: Brachytherapy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (2007) Radiotherapy: developing a world class service for England. Report to Ministers from National Radiotherapy Advisory Group. - Sharp, P.F., Gemmell, H.G. & Smith, F.W. (editors) (1998) Practical Nuclear Medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - The Royal College of Radiologists, Society and College of Radiographers, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, National Patient Safety Agency, British Institute of Radiology. (2008) Towards Safer Radiotherapy. London: The Royal College of Radiologist - Williams, J.R. & Thwaites, D.I. (2001) Radiotherapy Physics. (2nd edition). Oxford: Oxford Medical Publications. - Wolbarst A. W., (2005) Physics of Radiology Madison, Medical Physics Publishing This list is not exhaustive. Students may also wish to use radiotherapy / oncology based journals and radiotherapy equipment journals / information. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Karen Borg Grima Susan Mercieca Deborah Mizzi Jonathan Loui Portelli Francis Zarb (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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