Variations in tissue properties relating to mechanical stiffness have clinical relevance. Physiologic progressions of growth such as fetal lung development may be monitored, or pathologic changes such as infarction or malignancy may be detected with an appropriate method of observing tissue elasticity. We have investigated magnetic resonance techniques for visualizing and quantizing tissue elastic properties. In particular, we have compared and contrasted phase-contrast magnetic resonance methods which include static, steady-state, and transient elasticity experiments. Using finite element computer techniques, experimental models are generated and their behaviors simulated. Particular experiments have then been implemented for experimental verification on agarose and ex-vivo samples. A publication has accepted which synthesizes the theory, modeling, and experimental techniques as described. This work also includes practical technical details of the technique including a method of two-dimensional phase-unwrapping, and the engineering of a novel probe design for magnetic resonance elastography which has advantages over other existing implementation available in current literature.
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