Methods for correcting motion-encoding gradient nonlinearities in magnetic resonance elastography

A method for generating an image that depicts mechanical properties of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the method comprising:

• (a) acquiring motion-encoded magnetic resonance data from a subject using an MRI system operating a pulse sequence that applies at least one motion-encoding gradient having gradient nonlinearities;
• (b) providing to a computer system:
• gradient waveform data comprising gradient waveforms of the at least one motion-encoding gradient;
• and
• spatial response function data comprising spatial response functions of gradient coils used to apply the at least one motion-encoding data;
• (c) computing gradient nonlinearity corrected displacement data from the motion-encoded magnetic resonance data using the gradient waveform data and the spatial response function data;
• and
• (d) generating an image that depicts mechanical properties of the subject from the gradient nonlinearity corrected displacement data.