Free Running Asynchronous Magnetic Resonance Elastography

Motivation: Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) is deployed on more than 2500 MRI systems globally and available from multiple MRI manufacturers. Simplifying integration requirements with MRI systems could further enhance the rate of deployment. Goal(s): Develop a MRE driver system for routine clinical applications that does not require an electrical connection to the MRI system. Approach: Combine an accurate, asynchronous pneumatic vibration device with a specially designed MRE pulse sequence that allows for consistent MRE data acquisition. Results: Tests in phantoms and human volunteers show that the Free Running MRE system can provide results that compare very favorably to those obtained with synchronous MRE systems. Impact: Currently external vibration hardware used in MRE requires a physical connection to the MRI system. Removing this requirement would simplify and facilitate the deployment of MRE on some lower cost MRI systems, contributing to wider adoption.