39159 - Biomedical Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is able to: describe the natural phenomena by applying correctly the scientific method; analyze the instrumental procedures, estimate errors and the formulations in mathematical terms; to get to know the fields of physics related to the specific profession, mainly mechanical, recalling the reference laws and describing the operating conditions of biological interest. At the end of the course the student can deal properly the description of the elementary physical phenomena applying a rigorous scientific method.

Course contents

The scientific method
Measurement of physical quantities (physiological and biological).
Analysis of experimental data. Mathematical models of experimental data.
Representations of the experimental data.
Main and branch measurements units.
Direct and indirect measurements.
Load and Sensitivity of the instrument.
Range and sensitivity.
Measurement Error. Systematic and random errors.
Estimation of the measurement error.
Statistical Distribution of random fluctuations.
Mean, standard deviation and applications.
Significant digits. Rounding and scientific notation.
Representation of the results of a measure.
Interpolation and extrapolation.

Radiology in Dentistry
The spectrum of electromagnetic waves. Ionizing Radiation.
The discovery of x-rays.
The x-ray tube. Structure of the cathode, filament, focusing cup.
Structure of the anode, fixed and rotating anode.
Focal Spot.
The anode curves Family.
The sheath or headset. Inherent filtration, thermal capacity of the sheath.
The spectrum of the X-rays: continuous spectrum and Bremsstrahlung spectrum,
Striped and characteristic X-rays.
Effect of the filtration of the beam.
Type of diagnostic X-ray equipment: Oral, Ortopantomograph, Computed Tomography.
Interaction of gamma and X-rays with matter: classical Diffusion (Rayleigh scattering), photoelectric effect and Compton effect.
Digital Radiography.
Beam Quality and its measurements (the SEV).
Formation of the radiological image.
Overview of radiation protection (principle of justification and optimization of the exposure, correct behavior).


The matter
The kinetic theory. Solids. Ionic compounds. Liquids. Gases.

The solids
The solid density. The elasticity.
Stress-strain curve for solids. Hook's law. Young's modulus.
Compression. Traction. Bending. Twist.
Application to the bone (trabecular structure and collagen). Fracture Modalities.
Toughness and energy.
Breaking load.
Trabecular Structure of the jawbone.
Shear Stress (shear stress). Application to the walls of blood vessels.
Vessel walls. Muscle Activation and feedback mechanism (NO).

The liquids
The liquid viscosity.
Principle of Pascal.
Hydrostatic pressure. Measurement of cavitary pressure.
Principle of the mercury column sphygmomanometer.
Archimede's buoyancy.
Surface Tension (applications: filling the pulmonary alveoli; phenomenon of air embolism).
Law of Laplace (applications: ventricular dilation in athlete and in the case of decompensation; aneurysm).
Capillarity (law of Jurin).
Motion of a viscous liquid in a duct (cardiovascular system).
Law of Hagen-Poiseuille.
Critical Speed and whirling (application: stenosis).
Motion of a body in a viscous fluid - Stokes' law - (application: VES).
Motion of an ideal fluid in a pipe - Bernoulli's law - (application: measurement of the speed and the pressure drop by ultrasound)

Readings/Bibliography

1)   Lecture notes

2)   R. Zannoli, I. Corazza – Elementi di Fisica Esculapio

3) G. Castellani D. Remondini- Fisica in medicina e Biologia

Teaching methods

We will seek to involve the student with application examples.

Assessment methods

Oral examination at the end of the Course.

Teaching tools

Front lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Baldazzi