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Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC)

Approx. 8 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course is designed for students, researchers, and medical professionals interested in learning about the medical applications of particle accelerators.

Key Learning Points

Understand the physics principles behind particle accelerators and their applications in medicine
Discover the different types of medical accelerators and their functions
Explore the latest research and developments in the field

Learning Outcomes

Understand the principles of particle accelerators and their applications in medicine
Identify the different types of medical accelerators and their functions
Gain knowledge on the latest research and developments in the field

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of physics and medical terminology
Access to a computer with internet connection

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

Similar Courses

Introduction to Medical Physics
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Notable People in This Field

Medical Physicist
Radiation Oncologist

Related Books

Description

Hello and welcome to this course!

The NPAP - Medical Applications of Accelerators is one out of three courses in the Nordic Particle Accelerator Program (NPAP). Here you will be taken on a tour focusing on the medical applications of particle accelerators. You will see that there are two very important, but different, applications of accelerators in hospitals. The first application concerns radiotherapy of tumours and the other concerns the production of medical nuclides for diagnosis and treatment. Both will be included in this course and described through four modules. The first module offers the basic principles of radiotherapy from a medical and physics point of view. You there learn about the main components of the machines used for radiotherapy and get to know why radiotherapy is important for cancer treatments. The second module guides you through the different types of linear accelerators used in the machines for radiotherapy. It also describes the design of the treatment head. The design is important because it is the settings of the treatment head that determines the dose and the radiated region. It is also in the treatment head where the dose given to the patient is measured. In the third module you are introduced to proton therapy. In this type of therapy protons are first accelerated and then guided down to the tumour by magnets. The machines are considerably larger and more expensive than machines used for radio therapy. The module also offers a description and comparison between different types of accelerators, and explains how the protons interact with tissue. Also ions that are heavier than protons can be used in cancer therapy. This is described in the fourth module, where we also introduce you to the production of medical nuclides. You learn how the nuclides are produces in proton and ion accelerators and how the nuclides come into play at different places in hospitals. Medical nuclides are for instance used in Positron Electron Tomography, PET. Enjoy!

Outline

Introduction to the course and radiotherapy
A brief history of medical applications of accelerators
What is radiotherapy?
The main components of a radiotherapy electron linac
Introduction to lecture
Introduction to the lecture
Ionizing radiation
Dose response
Dose delivery of radiotherapy
Further reading
Introduction to the lecture
Access to external-beam radiotherapy worldwide and in Europe
A brief history of medical applications of accelerators
What is radiotherapy ?
Dose delivery of radiotherapy
Main components of a radiotherapy linac
Graded Quiz

Electron linacs for radiotherapy
The LINAC structure
Travelling and standing wave linac structures
Treatment head design
Clinical workflow of radiotherapy with an electron linac
Introduction to the lectures
Change beam energy
Examples of standing wave linac structures for radiotherapy
Introduction to the lectures
Dose deposition in the patient
Extra link
The Linac structure
Traveling and standing wave linac structures
Examples of standing wave linac structures for radiotherapy
Treatment head design
Clinical workflow of radiotherapy with an electron linac
Graded Quiz

Proton therapy I
Interactions of the proton with matter
Examples of accelerators for proton therapy
The proton gantry and nozzle
Practical aspects of a proton therapy center
Introduction to the lecture
Introduction to the lecture
Accelerators for proton therapy
Examples of accelerators for proton therapy with specifications
Introduction to the lectures
Slow extraction from a synchrotron
Adjustment of treatment energy
Links
Interaction of the protons with matter
Accelerators for proton therapy
Examples of accelerators for proton therapy
Slow extraction
Adjustment of treatment energy
Graded Quiz

Proton therapy II and production of medical radionuclides
Treatment delivery systems of heavy-ion therapy
Introduction to the challenges of proton and heavy ion therapy
Introduction to medical radionuclides
Production of medical radionuclides
Target design
Introduction to lecture
Introduction to therapy with ions heavier than the proton
Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center
Introduction to the lecture
Challenges of proton and heavy ion therapy
Introduction to the lecture
Diagnostic imaging using medical radionuclides
Introduction to the lecture
Production of medical radionuclides II
Cyclotrons for production of medical radionuclides
Target design
Link to animation of radionuclide production
Well done! You have now successfully finalized the course!
Treatment delivery system of heavy-ion therapy
Challenges of proton and heavy ion therapy
Introduction to medical radionuclides
Diagnostic imaging using medical radionuclides
Graded Quiz

Summary of User Reviews

Read reviews for Medical Applications of Particle Accelerators course on Coursera. Learners praise the course for its comprehensive content and practical applications. Overall, the course has received positive feedback from learners.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Comprehensive content and practical applications

Pros from User Reviews

In-depth coverage of the subject matter
Real-world examples and case studies
Engaging and knowledgeable instructors
Interactive and well-structured course material
Opportunities for hands-on learning

Cons from User Reviews

Some technical jargon may be difficult to understand for beginners
Course may be too advanced for those with limited physics background
Course materials may require significant time commitment
Limited interaction with peers and instructors
No certification or accreditation offered

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