Magnetic Resonance Elastography

Abstract

<p>This thesis is composed of six chapters. First MRE is briefly introduced together with some relevant literature in Chapter one. The second chapter is about the principles and theory of magnetic resonance imaging, with the MRE theory, software and hardware addressed in Chapter 3. Chapters 4 and 5 describe the hardware design, software programming, experimental setup and elasticity reconstruction. Chapter 6 is a general discussion, introducing challenges and future directions.</p> <p>A vibration actuator and coil was designed and constructed, then combined with the necessary hardware required to induce the motion in the actuator. A Gradient Echo pulse sequence was modified using the Siemens IDEA environment for MRE application. A phantom was made with concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3% agar gel.</p> <p>The phantom was scanned using the MRE sequence while inducing the propagating waves. Waves were selected to have frequencies of 125 Hz and 250 Hz. Magnitude and phase images acquired at these frequencies were used to construct the elasticity map using the MRE/Wave reconstruction software. Mean Shear Modulus measured in 1% gel cylinder is 10 kPa and standard deviation (SD) is 6 kPa. Mean elasticity value measured in 3% gel is 49 kPa and SD is 9 kPa. Mean value measured in the background which is 2% gel is 28 kPa and SD is 6 kPa. The results obtained are comparable to the values calculated in literature.</p>