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227-0384-00L 4 Credits BSC , MSC , NDS D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-MATH , D-ITET
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Ultrasound Fundamentals, Imaging, and Medical Applications

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Orçun Göksel
Course is offered for the last time in Spring Semester 2020.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:42:05

Abstract

Ultrasound is the only imaging modality that is nonionizing (safe), real-time, cost-effective, and portable, with many medical uses in diagnosis, intervention guidance, surgical navigation, and as a therapeutic option. In this course, we introduce conventional and prospective applications of ultrasound, starting with the fundamentals of ultrasound physics and imaging.

Objective

Students can use the fundamentals of ultrasound, to analyze and evaluate ultrasound imaging techniques and applications, in particular in the field of medicine, as well as to design and implement basic applications.

Content

Ultrasound is used in wide range of products, from car parking sensors, to assessing fault lines in tram wheels. Medical imaging is the eye of the doctor into body; and ultrasound is the only imaging modality that is nonionizing (safe), real-time, cheap, and portable. Some of its medical uses include diagnosing breast and prostate cancer, guiding needle insertions/biopsies, screening for fetal anomalies, and monitoring cardiac arrhythmias. Ultrasound physically interacts with the tissue, and thus can also be used therapeutically, e.g., to deliver heat to treat tumors, break kidney stones, and targeted drug delivery. Recent years have seen several novel ultrasound techniques and applications – with many more waiting in the horizon to be discovered. This course covers ultrasonic equipment, physics of wave propagation, numerical methods for its simulation, image generation, beamforming (basic delay-and-sum and advanced methods), transducers (phased-, linear-, convex-arrays), near- and far-field effect, imaging modes (e.g., A-, M-, B-mode), Doppler and harmonic imaging, ultrasound signal processing techniques (e.g., filtering, time-gain-compensation, displacement tracking), image analysis techniques (deconvolution, real-time processing, tracking, segmentation, computer-assisted interventions), acoustic-radiation force, plane-wave imaging, contrast agents, micro-bubbles, elastography, biomechanical characterization, high-intensity focused ultrasound and therapy, lithotripsy, histotripsy, photo-acoustics phenomenon and opto-acoustic imaging, as well as sample non-medical applications such as the basics of non-destructive testing (NDT). Hands-on exercises: These will help to apply the concepts learned in the course, using simulation environments (such as Matlab k-Wave and FieldII toolboxes). The exercises will involve a mix of design, implementation, and evaluation examples commonly encountered in practical applications. Project: Current and relevant applications in the field of ultrasound are offered as project topics. Projects will be carried out throughout the course, where the project reporting and presentations will be due towards the end of the semester. These will be part of the assessment in grading.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC , NDS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
Assessment is based on a combination of oral exam (75%) and project work (25%) [compulsory continuous performance assessment].To prepare yourself for the oral examination, you will have the opportunity to come an hour earlier before your scheduled exam time. You will then be given the exam questions to prepare yourself for your answers (without any aid other than pen and paper).

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Ultrasound Fundamentals, Imaging, and Medical Applications
4 hours per week: For 9 weeks the lectures and exercises sessions (including project work and presentations), and no courses for the remaining 3 weeks of the semester. Course is offered for the last time in Spring Semester 2020.
  • Fri 08:15-12:00 (ETZ K 91)
3 h weekly

Offered In