Magnetic resonance elastography detected with a SQUID in microtesla magnetic fields

We have used a SQUID-based microtesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to perform magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) experiments in a measurement field of 132 microtesla. Magnetic resonance elastography is based on MRI and measures three-dimensional displacement and strain fields in a sample. With appropriate data processing this allows for a quantitative map of the physical response of a material to an applied deformation. In the past, MRE experiments using conventional (1.5 tesla and above) MRI systems have demonstrated that MRE may be used as a non-invasive method for measuring stiffness of human tissues, which may aid in the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer and other cancers. Our MRE experiment consists of applying a small axial deformation to a cylindrical sample of 0.5\% agarose gel. For samples approximately 30 mm in height, we were able to measure displacements on the order of 500 micrometers. Supported by USDOE.