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Computed Tomography in SimuRad – A Medical Imaging Simulation Software

Abstract

In this paper we present a component of a newly developed computer simulation software – SimuRad, which can potentially help students to easily understand the underlying math and engineering principles of computed tomography (CT) in an undergraduate Medical Imaging course. This paper includes the discussions on the pedagogical basis of the SimuRad software, the initial design of CT component, a preliminary assessment from student test groups, and subsequent improvement and deployment plans. The development of this software is partially supported by an NSF CCLI grant

Introduction

“Medical Imaging” is an important subject in most bio-medical and bio-engineering curricula. This subject usually covers fundamental science and engineering principles (e.g. atomic and nuclear physics, Fourier analysis and reconstruction, and computer assisted tomography), medical imaging modalities (e.g. x-ray radiography, x-ray CT, nuclear medicine gamma imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound imaging), and clinical imaging practices (e.g. image analysis, visualization, instrumentation, and radiological protection)1,2. Such course has been regularly offered to graduate students with majors in radiology, medical physics, biomedical engineering, and computer engineering3. At Stevens as well as many schools this course is also introduced to junior or senior undergraduate students in biology, chemistry, physics and engineering majors4. The major challenge of offering this course at introductory level is its extensive multi-discipline nature. The targeted students normally have different backgrounds and limited preparation. It is generally difficult for someone to comprehend medical imaging methodologies without understanding the underlying principles of biology, physics and mathematics. But it is also not advisable to spend too much lecture time to cover all these fundamental subjects in an introductory course. A possible solution is to keep these subjects at a conceptual (or qualitative) level and allow students to visualize the physical effects through lab exercises.

Developing and maintaining a medical imaging laboratory is quite expensive, and it may require many specialized equipment and hazardous materials. Although many schools and programs have been offering some kind of lab exercises for this course, not many of them can actually afford and support a comprehensive laboratory that can cover all the aspects and modalities of medical imaging4,5.

The objective of this CCLI Phase 1 Project is to develop a computer simulation lab environment—SimuRad, that can help junior or senior undergraduate students from different majors to understand the concepts and theories of medical imaging methodologies, and gain hands-on experience on the design and implementation of medical image acquisition, reconstruction and processing schemes6. This software simulation tool can potentially help students to study this medical imaging course more effectively, and to have certain hands-on experience on the design and operation of most medical imaging modalities. This software is

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Man, H. (2009, June), Computed Tomography In Simurad: Medical Imaging Simulation Software Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--5033