Program Overview

Course Overview

The course MEDT4161, Medical Ultrasound Imaging, is a second-degree level course that provides an introduction to medical ultrasound imaging. The main purpose of the course is to provide knowledge of the basic principles of how an ultrasound machine works and how ultrasound images are constructed.

Course Details

• Credits: 7.5
• Level: Second degree level
• Course start: Autumn 2025
• Duration: 1 semester
• Language of instruction: English and Norwegian
• Location: Trondheim
• Examination arrangement: School exam

Course Content

The subject covers the basic principles of medical ultrasound imaging, including:

• The most important clinical application areas for medical ultrasound today
• Introduction to how an ultrasound machine works and how ultrasound images are formed
• Basic introduction to how ultrasound probes work
• Wave theory for one-dimensional and three-dimensional waves in tissue
• Beamforming with arrays
• Scattering, absorption, and attenuation of ultrasound waves in tissue
• Imaging using the pulse-echo principle
• Key principles for image quality
• Reconstruction and display of ultrasound images

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student can:

• Explain how a medical ultrasound machine works and creates images
• Describe the most important application areas for medical ultrasound imaging in today's society
• Describe basic principles for waves such as frequency, interference, transmission, reflection, diffraction, absorption, attenuation, and scattering of continuous waves and pulsed waves
• Derive one-dimensional and three-dimensional wave equations and master several solution techniques for these
• Know and be able to discuss the equations that describe the emitted ultrasound field from a surface and arrays
• Calculate the focusing and steering equations of ultrasound beams from surfaces and arrays
• Model scattering of ultrasound and explain the wave equation including scattering
• Discuss the pulse-echo equation and what is important to achieve good image quality
• Explain what the point spread function is and discuss what it describes
• Be able to reconstruct images and videos from data collected with an ultrasound machine
• Know standard principles and techniques for ultrasound image presentation, compression of images, how to change dynamics and brightness in ultrasound images

Skills

After completing the course, the student has developed the following skills:

• Knowledge to explain the use of medical ultrasound in today's society, why this is important, and which social trends will affect this field in the years to come
• Ability to describe key wave phenomena and a developed intuition for what waves are and how they can be used for ultrasound imaging
• Know, be able to apply and analyze relevant theory for how to describe, model, and design image reconstruction with ultrasound machines

General Knowledge

After completing the course, the student has the following general competence:

• Basic knowledge to be able to work for companies or organizations that develop, use or perform research on medical ultrasound machines in today's society
• Basic competence about wave theory and imaging with waves in medical ultrasound

Learning Methods and Activities

The course includes longitudinal teaching throughout the semester, with lectures, calculation exercises, demonstrations, and group assignment (computer required for this).

Evaluation

The grade is based on a final written examination. In the event of a retake of the exam, the written exam must be taken again. In the event of a re-sit of the exam, it may be given as an oral examination and will be conducted in the spring semester.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Mathematics 1-4, TFY4115 Physics, basic skills in signal processing (from e.g., IELET2110 - Signal processing, TTT4120 - Digital signal processing or TFY4280 - Signal analysis) or equivalent knowledge. Basic programming knowledge in Matlab or Python.

Course Materials

Course materials are given at the start of the semester.

Credit Reductions

The course has academic overlap with the courses TTK4160 and MEDT4160. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject Areas

The course covers the subject areas of General Physics, Medical Technology, Medical Physics, Medical Computer Science, Signal Processing, Biophysics and Medical Technology, Engineering Cybernetics, Mathematics, Medical Imaging Technologies, and Technological subjects.