Applications of Modern Physics in Medicine

by Mark Strikman, Kevork Spartalian, Milton W. Cole

Overview

The connections between modern physics and medical technology

Many remarkable medical technologies, diagnostic tools, and treatment methods have emerged as a result of modern physics discoveries in the last century—including X-rays, radiation treatment, laser surgery, high-resolution ultrasound scans, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging. This undergraduate-level textbook describes the fundamental physical principles underlying these technological advances, emphasizing their applications to the practice of modern medicine.

Intended for science and engineering students with one year of introductory physics background, this textbook presents the medical applications of fundamental principles of physics to students who are considering careers in medical physics, biophysics, medicine, or nuclear engineering. It also serves as an excellent reference for advanced students, as well as medical and health researchers, practitioners, and technicians who are interested in developing the background required to understand the changing landscape of medical science. Practice exercises are included and solutions are available separately in an instructor's manual.

• Complete discussion of the fundamental physical principles underlying modern medicine
• Accessible exploration of the physics encountered in a typical visit to a doctor
• Practice exercises are included and solutions are provided in a separate instructor’s manual (available to professors)
• A companion website (modernphysicsinmedicine.com) presents supplementary materials

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691125862
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	12/21/2014
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Mark Strikman is Distinguished Professor of Physics at Pennsylvania State University. Kevork Spartalian is Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Vermont. Milton W. Cole is Distinguished Professor of Physics at Pennsylvania State University.

Table of Contents

Preface and Guide to Using This Book xi

Technical Abbreviations xv

Timeline of Seminal Discoveries in Modern Physics xvii

Timeline of Discoveries and Inventions in Modern Medical Physics xix

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Overview 1

1.2 The Meaning of the Term Modern Physics 5

1.3 Mortality 6

1.4 How to Use This Book 7

Exercises 8

Chapter 2 When You Visit Your Doctor: The Physics of the “Vital Signs”

2.1 Introduction 10

2.2 Stethoscope 11

2.3 Sphygmomanometer and Blood Pressure 12

2.4 Electrocardiogram 15

2.5 Physics and Physiology of Diet, Exercise, and Weight 17

Exercises 21

Chapter 3 Particles, Waves, and the Laws that Govern Them

3.1 What Is Modern Physics? 22

3.2 Light: Particle or Wave? 25

3.3 Atoms 30

3.4 Lasers 41

3.5 Relativity 45

3.6 Nuclei 53

3.7 X-Rays and Radioactivity 63

Exercises 80

Chapter 4 Photon and Charged-Particle Interactions with a Medium

4.1 Overview 84

4.2 Mean Free Path and Cross Sections 85

4.3 Photon Interactions 87

4.4 Electron and Positron Interactions 98

Exercises 104

Chapter 5 Interactions of Radiation with Living Tissue

5.1 Introduction 107

5.2 Cell Death Due to DNA Radiation Damage 108

5.3 Dependence of Cell Survival on the Dose 112

5.4 Low Doses of Radiation 116

5.5 Radiation Dose versus Altitude 119

Exercises 121

Chapter 6 Diagnostic Applications I: Photons and Radionuclides

6.1 Overview 122

6.2 Photons 122

6.3 X-Rays and Gamma Rays 133

6.4 Radionuclides 156

6.5 Novel Ideas for Nuclear Imaging 166

Exercises 168

Chapter 7 Diagnostic Applications II: MRI and Ultrasound

7.1 Overview 171

7.2 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 172

7.3 Ultrasound 199

7.4 Multimodal Imaging 220

Exercises 224

Chapter 8 Applications in Treatment

8.1 Overview 226

8.2 Treatment with Radiation 226

8.3 Treatment with Particles 233

8.4 Treatment with Ultrasound 239

8.5 Treatment with Microwaves 244

8.6 Treatment with Lasers 244

Exercises 246

Appendix A Constants, Powers of 10, and Conversions Mentioned in the Text

Fundamental Constants 247

Powers of 10 and Their Prefixes 247

Conversion Factors and Equations 248

Appendix B Mortality Modeling 251

Appendix C Evaluation of the Sound Field from One Transducer

Far-field (Fraunhofer) Region 255

Near-field (Fresnel) Region 257

Notes 261

Index 267

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Applications of Modern Physics in Medicine fills an important need: it explains the physics principals behind commonly used medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to scientists, engineers, and technicians working in the field. The necessary basic physics is discussed clearly and simply in early chapters and then used effectively and convincingly in later chapters covering medical applications. This lovely book should lead to the creation of new physics courses all over the world."—Gerald Miller, University of Washington

"With a refreshing and accessible style, this textbook grounds medical physics in familiar physical principles, making it useful for undergraduate physics teaching. This book will have a place in a wide range of biomedical science courses and medical physics undergraduate modules, and as supplementary reading for medical doctors, radiographers, and other health professionals." —Mike Partridge, Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, University of Oxford

"Bridging the gap between the fundamental concepts of modern physics and medical technology in modern medicine, this book encompasses large numbers of topics from X-rays and gamma rays to lasers, MRI, ultrasound, and therapeutic applications of modern physics technologies. It will serve as a good introductory text to students in biomedical engineering, medical physics, health physics, and biophysics."—Terry T. Yoshizumi, Duke University School of Medicine

Editorial Reviews

"Applications of Modern Physics in Medicine fills an important need: it explains the physics principals behind commonly used medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to scientists, engineers, and technicians working in the field. The necessary basic physics is discussed clearly and simply in early chapters and then used effectively and convincingly in later chapters covering medical applications. This lovely book should lead to the creation of new physics courses all over the world."—Gerald Miller, University of Washington


"With a refreshing and accessible style, this textbook grounds medical physics in familiar physical principles, making it useful for undergraduate physics teaching. This book will have a place in a wide range of biomedical science courses and medical physics undergraduate modules, and as supplementary reading for medical doctors, radiographers, and other health professionals." —Mike Partridge, Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, University of Oxford


"Bridging the gap between the fundamental concepts of modern physics and medical technology in modern medicine, this book encompasses large numbers of topics from X-rays and gamma rays to lasers, MRI, ultrasound, and therapeutic applications of modern physics technologies. It will serve as a good introductory text to students in biomedical engineering, medical physics, health physics, and biophysics."—Terry T. Yoshizumi, Duke University School of Medicine

From the Publisher