A method of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging is proposed for the
rapid detection of oscillatory motion of spins or charged particles to
generate shear waves or oscillating electrical currents to induce
alternating magnetic fields to the object being imaged, subjected to a
fast train of radio-frequency (RF) pulses to induce within the sample a
steady-state NMR signal. A scan using an NMR imaging system is carried
out with a RF repetition time (TR) matched to the externally imposed
oscillatory motion. Small oscillatory displacements of spins in
combination with imaging gradients or oscillating magnetic fields related
to charge motion generating alternating spin phase dispersions during the
rf pulse train disturb the steady-state magnetization. Depending on the
amount of spin-phase dispersion, the amplitude and phase of the NMR
signals are modulated, generating a brightness-modulation of the
reconstructed phase and amplitude images revealing mechanical or
electrical properties of the object, such as stiffness or electrical
impedance.