Diagnostic Imaging Techniques

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

• 3. Good health and well-being
• 4. Quality education

Objectives

The main objective of the subject is to provide students with an understanding of the main medical imaging techniques used in clinical diagnosis.

Through theoretical classes, students will learn the physical foundations, associated risks, clinical applications and technological advances in the field of diagnostic imaging.

Targets

• Understand the history and evolution of medical imaging techniques.
• Know the physical foundations of imaging diagnostic techniques.
• Analyze clinical cases using different imaging techniques:
  • Radiography by projection
  • Computed tomography
  • Nuclear medicine
  • Ultrasound imaging
  • Magnetic resonance
  • Multimodality image
  • others
• Assess the associated risks.
• Basic principles of computer vision in the application of diagnostic imaging
• Introduce the applications of Machine Learning and Deep Learning in image diagnostics.

Learning outcomes

• RA1. Acquire and demonstrate advanced knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects and working methodology in the field of Biomedicine.
• LO2. Correctly recognize the morphology and structure of tissue, organs and systems with imaging techniques.
• LO3. Know the main research methods used in forensic medicine.
• LO4. It applies imaging techniques to the analysis of the functioning of the organism at different hierarchical levels.

Skills

General skills

• Carry out professional activities independently with initiative and respect for other health professionals.
• Formulate hypotheses following the scientific method, with an ability to summarize and analyze information in a critical way in order to be able to solve problems.

Specific skills

• Apply the principles of chemistry and physics to the interpretation of biological phenomena and in the development of relevant biomedical technology.
• Evaluate technological advances for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease.
• Use key analytical and imaging techniques, and basic technological instruments, following customary preclinical research laboratory protocols.

Basic skills

• Students can apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and have competencies typically demonstrated through drafting and defending arguments and solving problems in their field of study.
• Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds on general secondary education with the support of advanced textbooks and knowledge of the latest advances in this field of study.
• Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific and ethical issues.

Core skills

• Bring to bear values of entrepreneurship and innovation in one's academic and professional careers.
• Exercise active citizenship and individual responsibility with a commitment to democratic values and sustainable development.
• Make use of professional skills in multidisciplinary, complex, networked environments, whether on-site or online.
• Reflect critically on knowledge of all kinds, with a commitment to professional rigor and quality.

Content

The subject is designed to offer a complete and detailed overview of the most important medical imaging techniques used in clinical diagnosis. Below are the main contents that will be covered throughout the course:

• History and Evolution of Medical Imaging Techniques
  • Historical development of medical imaging techniques.
  • Impact of technological innovations in clinical diagnosis.
• Physical Foundations of Imaging Diagnostic Techniques
  • Basic physical principles of the different techniques.
  • Interaction of radiation with biological matter.
• Imaging Techniques and their Clinical Applications
  • Radiography by projection
    • Principles of operation.
    • Clinical applications.
  • Computed Tomography (CT)
    • Fundamentals of CT.
    • Clinical use and case examples.
  • Nuclear Medicine
    • Use of radioisotopes.
    • Diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
  • Ultrasound imaging
    • Generation and detection of ultrasound.
    • Clinical applications and benefits.
  • Magnetic Resonance (MR)
    • Fundamentals of MR.
    • Clinical applications and examples.
  • Multimodality image
    • Integration of various imaging techniques.
    • Benefits in diagnosis and treatment.
• Assessment of Associated Risks
  • Risks of exposure to ionizing radiation.
  • Security measures and protocols to minimize risks.
• Basic Principles of Computer Vision
  • Introduction to computer vision.
  • Applications in imaging diagnostics.
• Applications of Machine Learning and Deep Learning
  • Fundamentals of Machine Learning and Deep Learning.
  • Applications in imaging diagnostics.
  • Practical examples of implementation and results.
     

Evaluation

Evaluation criteria:

Observation of participation: 5%

Follow-up of the work done: 15%

Performance of work: 30%

Specific assessment tests: 50% (divided into a midterm and a final exam in equal parts (25% each)Recoverable activity.

All activities must exceed the 4.0 to be able to do the weighted average. And in the case of specific assessment tests or exams, the average of each of them must be 5 or higher.

In the recovery phase the student will be able to access the recuperable activities as long as these do not exceed the 50% of the subject.

Methodology

The teacher gives theoretical and problem classes. The student must do problems and exercises for each topic and must prepare beforehand some of the exercises that are done in class. The student can have explanatory modules, which he can obtain through the Virtual Campus, in a format closer to class notes than to a textbook.

During the practices/exercises, the necessary material is provided to be able to do them. It is convenient for the student to be able to use a personal computer. In addition to the face-to-face component of the internships, they must be accompanied by a report.

Bibliography

Reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.