Compartmental modeling: Fundamentals and Applications

This lecture introduces the concept of compartmental modeling in biomedical imaging, focusing on the importance of understanding linear systems and intracellular glucose metabolism measurement. It covers the definition of compartment models, conservation of mass for rate determination using Fick's principle, and the role of tracers in physiological systems. The instructor discusses real-life scenarios where different teams report conflicting results, emphasizing the need for a common underlying explanation. Through examples and illustrations, the lecture explores how compartmental modeling can predict inaccessible features of a system and estimate specific parameters of interest.