Module Details

Physics of nuclear medicine equipment

MS0155

Course
Physics of nuclear medicine equipment
Code
MS0155
Academic Year
2026/2027
Curriculum Year
2025/2026
Degree Programme
IMAGING AND RADIOTHERAPY TECHNIQUES
Curriculum
000 - CORSO GENERICO
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Credits
1
Lecture Hours
10
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
FIS/07 - Applied Physics (Cultural Heritage, Environment, Biology and Medicine)
Course Type
Single-subject learning activity
Course Delivery
OBB - Obbligatoria
Year
2
Teaching period
Secondo Semestre
Campus
NOVARA
Teaching language
Italian
Course Contents
Descriptions and formulas.
Reference Texts
"Medicina nucleare nella pratica clinica", Patron Editore, Bologna.
Learning Outcomes
The course aims to convey basics hints of the physics involved in the operation of machines for Nuclear Medicines.
Prerequisites
Basic of Fundamental and Radiation Physics.
Teaching Methods
Lectures with projection of power point slides. Physics exercises executed in real time displayed on a whiteboard.
Additional Information
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.
Assessment Methods
Oral exams with possibly the written resolution of one exercise.
Detailed Syllabus
Forces in the atomic nuclei. Stability. Activity of a radiactive sample. Time dependence of the number of nuclei in a radiactive sample and time dependence of its activity. Mean life and half life.

Single photon tecniques in nuclear medicine (SPECT). Differences between SPECT and TAC. Imaging with a gamma camera. Collimation system. Efficiency and resolution. Gamma spectrum. Energy window. Detector. Photomultiplier. Read-out electronics. 3D-image reconstruction. Correction for attenuation. Nuclear cardiology: gammacamera based on CZT detectors.

Positron-emission tecniques.

Production of radioisotopes: cyclotrons and nuclear reactors. Chain decays. Chromatography column.

Choice of radioisotope.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Understanding and familiarity with the physics processes involved in nuclear medicine techniques.
Last update:09-09-2026 00:14:31