Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 1

COURSE: HSC Physics

MODULE: 9.6 Medical Physics

SUGGESTED TIME: 28 indicative hours.

CONTEXTUAL OUTLINE

The use of other advances in technology, developed from our understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum, and based on sound physical principles, has allowed medical technologists more sophisticated tools to analyse and interpret bodily process for diagnostic purposes. Diagnostic imaging expands the knowledge of practitioners and the practice of medicine. It usually uses non-invasive methods for identifying and monitoring diseases or injuries via the generation of images representing internal anatomical structures and organs of the body.

Technologies, such as ultrasound, compute axial tomography, positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, can often provide clear diagnostic pictures without surgery. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan of the spine, for example, provides a view of the discs in the back, as well as the nerves and other soft tissues. The practitioner can look at the MRI films and determine whether there is a pinched nerve, a degenerative disc or a tumour. The greatest advantage of these techniques are their ability to allow the practitioner to see inside the body without the need for surgery.

This module increases students’ understanding of the history of physics and the implications of physics for society and the environment. Outcomes H1 evaluates how major advances in scientific understanding and technology have changed the direction or nature of scientific thinking H4 assesses the impact of applications of physics on society and the environment H5 identifies possible future directions of physics research H8 analyses wave interactions and explains the effects of those interactions H9 explains the effects of electric, magnetic and gravitational fields H10 describes the nature of electromagnetic radiation and matter in terms of the particles H11 justifies the appropriateness of a particular investigation plan H12 evaluates ways in which accuracy and reliability could be improved in investigations H13 uses terminology and reporting styles appropriately and successfully to communicate information and understanding H14 assesses the validity of conclusions from gathered data and information H15 explains why an investigation is best undertaken individually or by a team H16 justifies positive values about and attitudes towards both the living and non-living components of the environment, ethical behaviour and a desire for critical evaluation of the consequences of the applications of science Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 2 Sense of the Sacred Students gain an appreciation of how modern technology affects their health and foster a sense of stewardship over their bodies as temples of Christ. Glossary Acoustic impedance Endoscope Optical fibre Scan Amplitude scan Hard X-ray Phase scan Sector scan Anatomical Incoherent optical fibres Piezoelectric effect Soft X-ray Bone density Invasive (surgery) Positron Total internal reflection Brightness scan Lamour frequency Positron emission tomography Tumour Coherent optical fibres Magnetic resonance imaging Precessing Ultrasonic Computer axial tomography Non-invasive (surgery) Radioactive isotope Ultrasound Doppler ultrasound Nuclear spin Relaxation (time, MRI)

Soft Hard Concept Map Piezoelectric Doppler Effect Acoustic Impedance Eff ect X-Rays

Reflection Ultrasound Imaging CAT Scans

Refraction Endoscopy Optical Fibre Bone Density Scans Sector

PET Scans Radioactive Decay A Scans B Scans Phase

Nuclear Spin Precessing Larmor MRI frequency

Radio pulses & relaxation Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 3

OUTCOMES / ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Outcomes about which Skill outcomes A Range of possible diagnostic and/or formative assessment tasks information is being gathered Generally: Pretest or concept map developed to ascertain prior knowledge H13 11.1b Focus area 1 H14 12.3d Research on the contribution of a scientist to the development of transistors handed in as a report (see 13.1a,d Activity 2) 14.1e H12 Focus area 2 H14 12.3 a,d During class time extract information from articles(s) provided to student to discuss an issue or 14.1a compare situations related to, e.g., applications of superconductors, etc. Traditional pen and paper test on whole section or part thereof. H12 12.4b Computer simulation of, e.g. black body radiation, analysed as a second hand data situation and using new data for students. Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 4 MODULE REFERENCES REFERENCES

T1 Excel HSC Physics Warren pp. T2 Medical Physics: Imaging Heinemann IBSN 0-435-57094-3

Useful Programs P1 BodyWorks 6 – Contains videos of a baby and heart using Doppler ultrasounds.

Websites

W1 http://www.karlloren.com/ultrasound/ An overview of different imaging techniques. W2 http://www.bk.psu.edu/faculty/cooper/ultrasnd.html What is Ultrasound? W3 http://ej.rsna.org/ej3/0079-98.fin/doppler.htm A good explanation of Doppler Ultrasound W4 http://www.echoincontext.com/doppler01/doppler01_01.asp Principles of Doppler EchoCardiography is an an excellent explanation of Doppler Ultrasound W5 http://www.wcu.heartbeat.co.uk/section4/html4/wcus4imb.htm is a Doppler Ultrasound video of an abcessed heart W6 http://www.ece.drexel.edu/CSPL/research/us.html contains ultrasound images of breast cancer. W7 http://www.ob-ultrasound.net/ Obstretic Ultrasound contains many images of foetuses. W8 http://www.ensc.sfu.ca/people/faculty/vaisey/research/publications/MedImaging2000_vaisey.pdf is a thesis on liver imaging. W9 http://www.sbu.ac.uk/~dirt/museum/usnd-intro.html Starting Abdominal Ultrasound is a good treatise on this area with diagrams. W10 http://www.spinalman.freeserve.co.uk/heelscanning.htm contains information on using ultrasound for bone density measurements. W11 http://www.explorescience.com/medphys/ctmovie.htm Explore Science page on how CT scans are made into 3D movies W12 http://www.cat-scan.com/Old/entries.html A different type of CAT scan imaging. W13 http://medexpert.net/medinfo/catscan.htm Karl Loren page on CAT scans. W14 http://www.tmc.edu.tw/medimage/endoscopy/default_eng.htm Endoscopy videos. W15 http://www.luz.ve/ICA/Atlas_med/i_index.html Altas of Digestive endoscopy W16 http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-medicine.htm How Stuff Works page on PET scanners. W17 http://www.rch.unimelb.edu.au/CEP/video/pet_qt.html Is a PET scan of a human brain as a video. W18 http://www.howstuffworks.com/mri.htm How stuff Works page on MRI. W19 http://www.cis.rit.edu/htbooks/mri/ Basics of MRI - Excellent self-paced tutorial W20 http://www.science.org.au/nova/062/062key. htm NOVA site entitled The picture becomes clear for magnetic resonance imaging W21 http://www.fonar.com/MR_map.htm is an MRI map of the human body. W22 http://www.mri.jhu.edu/~dbluemke/Breast_MRI_pic.html displays a breast cancer using MRI W23 http://www.gastrolab.net/c1gcabi.htm shows a bile duct cancer using MRI W24 http://www.oncologychannel.com/braincancer/diagnosis.shtml is a discussion forum for oncological issues. W25 http://www.explorescience.com/activities/activity_page.cfm?ActivityID=42 Is a Shockwave demonstration of X-ray imaging. Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 5 Videos

V1

Journals / Articles

J1 Slicing through fat New Scientist 22 Apr 1995 J2 MAPS of the MIND New Scientist 7 Jan 1995 J3 The Light Fantastic New Scientist 11 Mar 1995 J4 Computer Chaos at medicine’s cutting edge New Scientist 25 Sep 93 Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 6

Outcomes Students Learn About / Learn To: Reg. Teaching / Learning Strategies Resources 1. The properties of ultrasound waves can be used as diagnostic tools H7 explains the effect • identify the differences between ultrasound and Suggested Time: 1 hour of energy transfers and sound in normal hearing range.  Students listen to an audio oscillator to ascertain their frequency response. transformation  Students gather and process data listing the frequency response of different H8 analyses wave • describe the piezoelectric effect and the effect of animals. interactions and using an alternating potential difference with a  Students gather and analyse information on the uses of the piezoelectric effect explains the effects of piezoelectric crystal in common digital and detection technologies. those interactions • gather secondary information to observe at least  Students examine a piezoelectric crystal in an application eg. Quartz watch, H14 assesses the two ultrasound images of body organs computer. validity of conclusions  Students access the internet to gather and process information about the from gathered data and piezoelectric effect and ultrasound images of body organs. information H4 assesses the impact • define acoustic impedance Z =  and identify Suggested Time: 2 hours of applications of that different materials have different acoustic  Students measure the acoustic impedance of an object by measurement of the physics on society and velocity of sound through the object and its acoustic density. the environment impedances  Perform an experiment to measure the echo from different materials as a H7 explains the effect • describe how the principles of acoustic simulation of ultrasound techniques (as per preliminary) of energy transfers and impedance and reflection and refraction are  Students solve problems and analyse information about acoustic impedance transformation applied to ultrasound by H8 analyses wave – identify trends, patterns and relationships as well as contradictions in interactions and • define the ratio of reflected to initial intensity as: 2 data and information (H14.1a) explains the effects of – justify inferences and conclusions (H14.1b) Ir Z2  Z1 those interactions  2 – identify and explain how data supports or refutes an hypothesis, a Io Z2  Z1 prediction or a proposed solution to a problem (14.1c) • identify that the greater the difference in – predict outcomes and generate plausible explanations related to the observations (H14.1d) acoustic impedance between two materials the – use models, including mathematical ones, to explain phenomena and/or greater the reflected proportion of the incident make predictions (H14.1f) pulse – identifying and explaining the nature of a problem (H14.2a) • solve problems and analyse information to – using identified strategies to develop a range of possible solutions to a particular problem (H14.2c) calculate the acoustic impedance of a range of  Students access the internet to gather and process information about materials, including bone, muscle, soft tissue, fat, blood and air and explain the types of tissues that Key – Policy implementation ultrasound can be used to examine • solve problems and analyse information using: SOS – Sense of the Sacred 2 GT – Gifted and Talented Ir Z2  Z1 ab – aboriginality Z =  and  2 tech – technology Io Z2  Z1 ESL – English as a Second Language lit - Literacy ns – non-sexist SE – Special Education num - Numeracy Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 7 Outcomes Students Learn About / Learn To: Reg. Teaching / Learning Strategies Resources H3 assesses the impact • describe the situations in which A scans, B Suggested Time: 1 hour of particular advances scans and phase and sector scans would be  Students visit an ultrasound clinic to watch a demonstration of A scans, B in physics on the scans, phase scans and sector scans. development of used and the reasons for the use of each  Students examine an ultrasound heel bone density scan and compare it to a technologies • identify data sources, gather, process and analyse DEXA scan. H4 assesses the impact information to describe how ultrasound is used to  Students access the internet to gather and process information about A scans, of applications of measure bone density B scans, phase scans, sector scans and how ultrasound is used to measure physics on society and bone density. the environment H3 assesses the impact • describe the Doppler effect in sound waves and Suggested Time: 2 hours of particular advances how it is used in ultrasonics to obtain flow  Students visit an ultrasound clinic to obtain a Doppler ultrasound of their in physics on the heart. development of characteristics of blood moving through the  Students gather and process information about the types of disease that technologies heart Doppler ultrasounds may detect H4 assesses the impact • outline some cardiac problems that can be  Students perform a qualitative experiment on the Doppler effect by running of applications of detected through the use of the Doppler effect towards and then away from a source blowing a whistle, then being stationary physics on society and • identify data sources and gather information to while a running whistle blower runs past them. the environment  Students use sound probes and data loggers to observe the waveforms H11 justifies the observe the flow of blood through the heart from a generated by various types of relative motion. appropriateness of a Doppler ultrasound video image  Students access the internet to gather and process information about the use of particular investigation Doppler ultrasound in measuring blood flow. plan 2. The physical properties of electromagnetic radiation can be used as diagnostic tools H9 explains the effects • describe how X-rays are currently produced Suggested Time: 1 hour of electric, magnetic • compare the differences between ‘soft’ and  Students visit an X-ray clinic to obtain a X-ray images of body parts. and gravitational fields  Students access the internet to gather and process information about the H14 assesses the ‘hard’ X-rays production of X-rays and create a comparison chart of soft and hard X-rays. validity of conclusions • gather information to observe at least one image of from gathered data and a fracture on an X-ray film and X-ray images of information other body parts H3 assesses the impact • explain how a computed axial tomography (CAT) Suggested Time: 2 hours of particular advances scan is produced  Students visit an imaging clinic to observe a CAT scan in progress in physics on the  Students access the internet to gather and process information about CAT development of • describe circumstances where a CAT scan scans and compare the information provided by CAT scans to that provided technologies would be a superior diagnostic tool compared to by X-rays. H4 assesses the impact either X-rays or ultrasound  Students observe CAT scans and X-rays of the same area to draw a of applications of • gather secondary information to observe a CAT comparison chart of the two methods. physics on society and the environment scan image and compare the information provided H14 assesses the by CAT scans to that provided by an X-ray image for validity of conclusions the same body part. from gathered data and information Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 8 Outcomes Students Learn About / Learn To: Reg. Teaching / Learning Strategies Resources H3 assesses the impact • explain how an endoscope works in relation to Suggested Time: 3 hours of particular advances total internal reflection  Students visit an imaging clinic to observe an endoscopy procedure. in physics on the  Students access the internet to gather and process information about coherent development of • discuss differences between the role of coherent and incoherent optical fibres and their use in endoscopy. technologies and incoherent bundles of fibres in an  Students debate whether some types of endoscopy are invasive or non- H4 assesses the impact endoscope invasive. of applications of • explain how an endoscope is used in:  Students perform a first-hand investigation to observe the transfer of light by physics on society and – observing internal organs optical fibres by the environment – carrying out the planned procedure, recognising where and when H9 explains the effects – obtaining tissue samples of internal organs modifications are needed and analysing the effect of these adjustments of electric, magnetic for (H12.1a) and gravitational fields further testing – identifying and using safe work practices during investigations H11 justifies the • perform a first-hand investigation to demonstrate the (H12.1d) appropriateness of a  Students observe video images produced by an endoscope using the flexicam particular investigation transfer of light by optical fibres. microscope system as a model for endoscopy. plan • gather secondary information to observe internal H12 evaluates ways in organs from images produced by an endoscope which accuracy and reliability could be improved in investigations 3. Radioactivity can be used as a diagnostic tool H1 evaluates how major • outline properties of radioactive isotopes and Suggested Time: 3 hours advances in scientific their half lives that are used to obtain scans of  Students visit an imaging clinic to observe a PET scan of a healthy and understanding and diseased body organ. technology have organs  Students create a comparison chart of the different radio-isotopes used in changed the direction or • describe how radioactive isotopes may be medicine for imaging and therapeutic purposes. nature of scientific metabolised by the body to bind or accumulate  Students perform an investigation to compare a bone scan with an X-ray by thinking in the target organ gathering information from secondary sources by: H2 analyses the ways in identify that during decay of specific radioactive – accessing information from a range of resources, including popular which models, theories • scientific journals, digital technologies and the Internet (H12.3a) and laws in physics nuclei positrons are given off – practising efficient data collection techniques to identify useful have been tested and • discuss the interaction of electrons and information in secondary sources (H12.3b) validated positrons resulting in the production of gamma – summarising and collating information from a range of resources H3 assesses the impact rays (H12.3d) of particular advances  Students gather and process secondary information to compare the scan of at in physics on the • describe how positron emission tomography least one healthy body organ with its diseased counterpart by development of (PET) technique is used for diagnosis – accessing information from a range of resources, including popular technologies perform an investigation to compare an image of scientific journals, digital technologies and the Internet (H12.3a) H4 assesses the impact • bone scan with an X-ray image. – practising efficient data collection techniques to identify useful of applications of information in secondary sources (H12.3b) physics on society and • gather and process secondary information to – summarising and collating information from a range of resources the environment compare the scanned image of at least one healthy (H12.3d) H14 assesses the – assessing the accuracy of any measurements and calculations and the validity of conclusions body organ with a scanned image of its diseased counterpart relative importance of the data and information gathered (H12.4a) from gathered data and  Students access the internet to gather and process information about PET information Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 9 Outcomes Students Learn About / Learn To: Reg. Teaching / Learning Strategies Resources 4. The magnetic field produced by particles can be used as a diagnostic tool H1 evaluates how major • identify that the nuclei of certain atoms and Suggested Time: 4 hours advances in scientific molecules behave as small magnets  Students access the internet to gather and process information about the understanding and magnetic properties of nuclei. technology have • identify that protons and neutrons in the  Students gather and process secondary information to identify the function of changed the direction or nucleus have properties of spin and describe the electromagnet, the radio frequency oscillator, the radio receiver and the nature of scientific how net spin is obtained computer in the MRI equipment by thinking • explain that the behaviour of nuclei with a net – accessing information from a range of resources, including popular H2 analyses the ways in scientific journals, digital technologies and the Internet (H12.3a) which models, theories spin, particularly hydrogen, is related to the – practising efficient data collection techniques to identify useful and laws in physics magnetic field they produce information in secondary sources (H12.3b) have been tested and • describe the changes that occur in the – summarising and collating information from a range of resources validated orientation of the magnetic axis of nuclei before (H12.3d) H3 assesses the impact – assessing the accuracy of any measurements and calculations and the of particular advances and after the application of a strong magnetic relative importance of the data and information gathered (H12.4a) in physics on the field – evaluating the validity of first-hand and secondary information and data development of • gather and process secondary information to identify in relation to the area of investigation (H12.4d) technologies the function of the electromagnet, radio frequency – assessing the accuracy of scientific information presented in mass H4 assesses the impact media by comparison with similar information presented in scientific of applications of oscillator, radio receiver and the computer in the journals (H12.4f) physics on society and MRI equipment the environment H3 assesses the impact • define precessing and relate the frequency of Suggested Time: 2 hours of particular advances the precessing to the composition of the nuclei  Students access the internet to gather and process information about nuclear in physics on the precession and the Larmor frequency and its application to MRI. development of and the strength of the applied external  Students gather and process secondary information to observe magnetic technologies magnetic field resonance image scans including a comparison of healthy and cancerous H4 assesses the impact • discuss the effect of subjecting precessing tissues by of applications of nuclei to pulses of radio waves – accessing information from a range of resources, including popular physics on society and scientific journals, digital technologies and the Internet (H12.3a) the environment • explain that the amplitude of the signal given – practising efficient data collection techniques to identify useful H5 identifies possible out when precessing nuclei relax is related to information in secondary sources (H12.3b) future directions of the number of nuclei present – summarising and collating information from a range of resources physics research • perform an investigation to observe images from (H12.3d) H7 explains the effect – assessing the accuracy of any measurements and calculations and the of energy transfers and magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans, including relative importance of the data and information gathered (H12.4a) transformation a comparison of healthy and damaged tissue H9 explains the effects of electric, magnetic and gravitational fields Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 10 Outcomes Students Learn About / Learn To: Reg. Teaching / Learning Strategies Resources H3 assesses the impact • explain that large differences would occur in the Suggested Time: 2 hours of particular advances relaxation time between tissue containing  Students visit an ultrasound clinic to obtain a Doppler ultrasound of their in physics on the heart. development of hydrogen bound water molecules and tissues  Students access the internet to identify data sources, gather and process and technologies containing other molecules present information using available evidence to explain why MRI can be used H4 assesses the impact • identify data sources, gather, process and present to detect cancerous tissues, identify areas of high blood flow and distinguish of applications of information using available evidence to explain why between grey and white matter in the brain by physics on society and – accessing information from a range of resources, including popular the environment MRI scans can be used to: scientific journals, digital technologies and the Internet (H12.3a) H14 assesses the – detect cancerous tissues – practising efficient data collection techniques to identify useful validity of conclusions – identify areas of high blood flow information in secondary sources (H12.3b) from gathered data and – distinguish between grey and white matter in the – summarising and collating information from a range of resources information (H12.3d) brain H13 uses terminology • identify data sources, gather and process Suggested Time: 2 hours and reporting styles information to compare the advantages and  Students identify data sources, gather and process information to compare the appropriately and advantages and disadvantages of X-rays, CAT scans, PETs and MRIs by successfully to disadvantages of X-rays, CAT scans, PET scans – accessing information from a range of resources, including popular communicate and MRI scans. scientific journals, digital technologies and the Internet (H12.3a) information and • gather, analyse information and use available – practising efficient data collection techniques to identify useful understanding evidence to assess the impact of medical information in secondary sources (H12.3b) – summarising and collating information from a range of resources H14 assesses the applications of physics on society validity of conclusions (H12.3d) from gathered data and – assessing the accuracy of any measurements and calculations and the information relative importance of the data and information gathered (H12.4a) – evaluating the validity of first-hand and secondary information and data in relation to the area of investigation (H12.4d) assessing the accuracy of scientific information presented in mass media by comparison with similar information presented in scientific journals (H12.4f)  Students access the internet to gather and analyse information and use available evidence to assess the impact of medical application of physics on society by – accessing information from a range of resources, including popular scientific journals, digital technologies and the Internet (H12.3a) – practising efficient data collection techniques to identify useful information in secondary sources (H12.3b) – summarising and collating information from a range of resources (H12.3d) – assessing the accuracy of any measurements and calculations and the relative importance of the data and information gathered (H12.4a) – evaluating the validity of first-hand and secondary information and data in relation to the area of investigation (H12.4d) – assessing the accuracy of scientific information presented in mass media by comparison with similar information presented in scientific journals (H12.4f) Domremy Program – Stage 6 Physics 9.6 Medical Physics Program Updated August 2007 Page 11 Program Evaluation Sheet

Program: 9.6 Medical Physics Stage/Course: Physics

Please comment where appropriate on the strengths and weaknesses of this Program. Factors that should be considered include:

1. Time allocation: ______2. PFAs: ______3. Domains: Knowledge and Understanding: ______Domains: Skills: ______4. Context: ______5. Cross-curricular activities are appropriate (Stage 4/5 only) ______6. Lesson sequence is appropriate: ______7. Teaching strategies: ______8. Improvements: ______9. Assessment: ______Please use the other side of this sheet for any further comment