ABSNM NMPI study plan
ABSNM NMPI · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Gamma camera components and operation
Diagram the gamma camera signal path from collimator to photomultiplier tube to pulse-height analyzer, labeling each component's function
Explain how collimator hole geometry (septal thickness, hole diameter, length) affects sensitivity and spatial resolution
Compare NaI(Tl) scintillation crystal properties relevant to camera design, including light output, decay time, and hygroscopic handling
Describe how photomultiplier tube gain and position-weighted Anger logic localize an event
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn labeled gamma camera block diagram plus a one-page written explanation of collimator trade-offs, self-graded against a checklist
Gamma camera components and operation & Radiation detection and counting systems
Trace how pulse-height analysis and energy window settings discriminate photopeak events from Compton scatter
Calculate energy resolution from a given photopeak spectrum width and explain its clinical impact on scatter rejection
Contrast detector configurations (continuous crystal versus pixelated) for uniformity and count-rate behavior
Explain uniformity correction maps and when they are applied during acquisition
Your checkpoint
A worked problem set of 10 energy-window and energy-resolution calculations with written rationales for each answer
Radiation detection and counting systems
Describe the operating principle and appropriate use of gas-filled, scintillation, and semiconductor detectors
Explain dead time, paralyzable versus nonparalyzable behavior, and how each distorts measured count rates
Apply the decay equation to compute activity at a later time and to perform dose calibrator constancy checks
Distinguish counting statistics concepts including Poisson behavior, standard deviation, and the effect of acquisition time on precision
Your checkpoint
A one-page reference sheet of detector types, dead-time formulas, and decay/statistics equations, validated by solving 8 practice problems
Basic instrumentation principles and electronics & Radiation detection and counting systems
Explain the function of each stage in a nuclear counting chain: preamplifier, amplifier, discriminator, and scaler
Describe how pulse shaping and amplification affect energy resolution and count-rate performance
Interpret basic electronic noise sources and grounding/shielding practices relevant to instrumentation
Identify common causes of spectral artifacts from electronics rather than from the radionuclide
Your checkpoint
A timed 25-question self-made quiz on electronics and detection with a written error analysis of any missed items
Image acquisition, processing, and quality control
Differentiate static, dynamic, gated, and whole-body acquisition modes and select appropriate parameters for each
Explain matrix size, zoom, pixel size, and their relationship to spatial resolution and count density
Describe uniformity, spatial resolution, and energy-peak QC tests, including acceptance criteria and frequency
Outline the purpose of flood-field, bar-phantom, and line-source images in camera QC
Your checkpoint
A completed QC log template listing each test, its frequency, acceptance criteria, and corrective action, with a short written justification for each criterion
Emission tomography (SPECT and PET) instrumentation
Explain SPECT projection acquisition, reconstruction, and the role of filtered backprojection versus iterative reconstruction
Describe attenuation, scatter, and resolution-recovery corrections and when each is applied
Explain PET detector physics including annihilation photon detection, coincidence timing window, and time-of-flight principles
Compare SPECT and PET instrumentation capabilities for spatial resolution, sensitivity, and quantitation
Your checkpoint
A two-page comparison write-up of SPECT versus PET instrumentation with a labeled reconstruction workflow for each modality
Instrumentation quality assurance and regulatory compliance
Map each major QA test to its regulatory or accreditation driver and required documentation
Explain the roles of the radiation safety officer and medical physicist in equipment oversight
Describe acceptance testing versus routine QC and the actions triggered by out-of-tolerance results
Identify recordkeeping requirements for instrument QC and survey results
Your checkpoint
A one-page compliance matrix linking QA tests to frequency, responsible party, and documentation requirement
Basic instrumentation principles and electronics & Radiation detection and counting systems & Gamma camera components and operation & Image acquisition, processing, and quality control & Emission tomography (SPECT and PET) instrumentation & Instrumentation quality assurance and regulatory compliance
Integrate concepts across all six domains by working mixed-topic practice questions under timed conditions
Identify and remediate the three weakest domains based on practice-question performance
Re-derive key equations (decay, energy resolution, dead time, counting statistics) from memory
Summarize the highest-yield instrumentation facts into a single condensed review sheet
Your checkpoint
A 60-question timed mixed-domain practice exam with a scored error log and a completed one-page condensed review sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Explain and sketch the full gamma camera signal path and correctly solve at least 8 of 10 energy-window and resolution problems without notes
Week 4: Score at least 80% on the self-made electronics and detection quiz and correctly explain dead-time distortion in both paralyzable and nonparalyzable systems
Week 6: Produce the SPECT-versus-PET comparison write-up with accurate reconstruction workflows and no factual errors flagged for review
Week 8: Score at least 80% on the 60-question mixed-domain practice exam and demonstrate remediation of previously weak domains in the error log