TBD!
An Incomplete Medical Physics Review
Photomultiplier tube (PMT) diagram
Click on the diagram to show an interaction
The following serves as a list of potentially useful sources of information, and as a bibliography for this website.
FYI: This list is in no way comprehensive, as there are many excellent books, articles and websites for medical physics. It is simply meant to be a starting point.
General Radiation Physics
Introduction to Radiological Physics and Radiation Dosimetry, Frank H Attix, John Wiley & Sons, 1986
Therapy physics
The Physics of Radiation Therapy, Fifth Edition, Faiz M. Khan, LWW 2014
The Physics of Radiotherapy X-Rays And Electrons, Peter Metcalfe, Medical Physics Pub Corp, 2007
Treatment planning
Khan's Treatment Planning in Radiation Oncology, Faiz M. Khan, LWW, 2016
Imaging
The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging, 3rd Third Edition, Jerrold Bushberg et al, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2012
Nuclear Medicine
Physics in Nuclear Medicine, Fourth Edition, Cherry, Sorenson & Phelps, Saunders, 2012.
This the nuclear medicine "bible"
MRI
MRI from Picture to Proton, 2nd Edition, Donald W. McRobbie, Cambridge University Press, 2007
Starts with images as sequences rather than underlying physics theory.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Physical Principles and Sequence Design, 2nd Edition, E. Mark Haacke, Wiley-Blackwell 2014
Questions and answers in MRI (website)
CT
Computed Tomography: Principles, Design, Artifacts, and Recent Advances, Third Edition, Jiang Hsieh, SPIE Press, 2015
Radiobiology
Radiobiology for the Radiologist, Seventh Edition, Eric J. Hall, LWW 2011.
Anatomy and Physiology
Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 7th edition, Keith L. Moore, LWW 2013
This is a large (overly) comprehensive book, but is useful as a reference with great illustrations.
LWW = Lippincottt Williams & Wilkins
Radioactive decay calculators
ACR PET phantom fill form
A simple set of online tools to calculate the decay over time of a given radioisotope.
These are not intended nor approved for clinical use.
Enter phantom fill information below. Ratios are calculated accounting for relative times of measurement.
Directions for Activating Phantom and Vials
Protocol Summary for the Two Required Doses (from Chart)
- Dose A will be added to 1000 ml bag (or bottle) to diluted activity for the 4 test vials
- Dose B will be added to the phantom as background activity.
1) Measurement of Doses A and B
Measure and record the activity of Dose A and Dose B (small syringes) with time on the work sheet. Scanning begins 1 hr after the Dose A measurement time.
2) Activation of Test Vials on Phantom Cover
Add Dose A to the 1000 ml bag or bottle and mix well. Then with the first 60 ml syringe withdraw 60 ml — this is test Dose #1 - measure activity in write down the time. Next, using the 60 ml syringe fill the 4 appropriate chambers in the phantom top.
3) Activation of the Phantom
Thoroughly mix Dose B into the main chamber of the PET phantom (a bubble of air will help ensure a well-mixed solution). After mixing, using the second 60 ml syringe, withdraw 60 ml from the phantom — this is test Dose #2. Measure activity in write down the time. Inject Dose #2 back into the phantom. Fill any remaining air-space in the phantom with water and mix again. Dispose of syringes appropriately.
4) Scan phantom
Scan phantom using the standard whole body FDG protocol at one hour after the measurement of Dose A. Ensure phantom is centered in the scanner and parallel to laser lines and level. Entire phantom should be in the FOV (two bed positions will be necessary on some scanners).
5) Reconstruct phantom
Reconstruct the entire phantom with the same protocol used for whole body scans including pre- and post-reconstruction filters. Generate 1 cm thick transaxial slices for analysis. (If unit is only being accredited for brain or cardiac, use the appropriate protocol for reconstruction.) Attenuation correction must be applied.