Mre excitation apparatus, excitation system, and excitation method

An MRE excitation apparatus that excites a test object during MRE measurement, comprising:

• an excitation device that generates vibration;
• a transmitter that is made using a non-magnetic material and that extends along the direction that vibration is transmitted from the excitation device;
• at least one direction changer;
• and
• a transmitter on the test object side that is made using a non-magnetic material and that extends in an angle different than the direction that the transmitter extends;
• wherein
• the one end-section of the transmitter is fastened to the excitation device, the other end-section of the transmitter is connected to the direction changer, and the transmitter transmits longitudinal vibration from the excitation device to the direction changer;
• the direction changer changes the direction of the longitudinal vibration that is transmitted by the transmitter, and transmits the longitudinal vibration to the transmitter on the test object side;
• the transmitter on the test object side is connected with the test object, and transmits the longitudinal vibration to the test object;
• the frequency of the vibration is 125 Hz or greater;
• the amplitude of the vibration is 0.2 mm or greater;
• and
• the primary natural frequency of the longitudinal vibration of the transmitter and the transmitter on the test object side is further on the high side than the frequency band of the vibration from the excitation device;
• and
• the MRE excitation apparatus further comprises a support that is located between the one end-section and the other end-section of the transmitter, and that supports the transmitter.

An MRE excitation system that excites a test object during MRE measurement, comprising:

• an excitation device that generates vibration;
• and
• a transmitter that transmits longitudinal vibration from the excitation device to the test object;
• wherein
• the frequency of the vibration is 125 Hz or greater;
• the amplitude of the vibration is 0.2 mm or greater;
• the primary natural frequency of the longitudinal vibration of the transmitter is further on the high side than the frequency band of the vibration from the excitation device;
• and
• during the MRE measurement, the frequency and amplitude of the longitudinal vibration that is generated by the excitation device is controlled so that variation in measurement values of the modulus of elasticity in the measurement area in the test object is minimized;
• and
• the MRE excitation apparatus further comprises a support that is located between one end-section and the other end-section of the transmitter, and that supports the transmitter.

An MRE excitation method comprising:

• controlling the frequency and amplitude of longitudinal vibration so that variation in measurement values of modulus of elasticity in a measurement area in a test object is minimized;
• generating vibration;
• and
• exciting the test object with the longitudinal vibration;
• wherein
• the frequency of the vibration is 125 Hz or greater;
• and
• the amplitude of the vibration is 0.2 mm or greater.