Method for fabricating flexible resonant trap circuits

Abstract

To provide a flexible resonance trap circuit.SOLUTION: A flexible resonance trap circuit includes: a transmission line arranged so as to have a spiral coil including a first spiral coil segment and a second spiral coil segment; and a capacitor connected in between the first and second spiral coil segments.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible resonant trap circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] [Resonant trap circuit] A resonant trap is a functional resonant circuit that offers high impedance at one or more specific frequencies. In the most basic sense, a resonant trap filters currents over a very narrow band of frequencies. The inductance and capacitance of the trap are determined by lumped parameters, circuit board design, cabling, etc., which together determine the resonant frequency that is filtered by the trap (ω~1 / (LC)). Resonant traps can be coupled to a single conductor to act, for example, as a radio frequency (RF) filter for DC lines. Resonant traps can be coupled to other transmission lines with two or more conductors (e.g., coaxial cable, triaxial cable, planar transmission line, etc.).

[0003] A typical resonant trap circuit has a capacitance coupled in parallel with an inductance. The impedance of a typical resonant trap circuit is very high at its resonant frequency. Multiple resonances can be obtained by adding more inductors and capacitors to the circuit. Resonant trap circuits are used in a variety of RF applications. For example, a resonant trap may be used to block signals at the resonant frequency of the resonant trap from reaching a load. For example, in a radio tuner application, the resonant trap may have a variable capacitor that can be used to tune a radio receiver to select one of several stations. In antenna applications, a resonant trap circuit can be used to isolate one part of an antenna from another part. Also, in MRI, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system can use a resonant trap circuit to prevent RF excitation signals that energize a subject or structure from coupling into various transmission lines and cables in the system. In MRI, transmission lines are used to transmit signals from the receiving antenna / coil to the MRI system. These signals are emitted from the subject / structure and used to create an image. Additionally, other cables within the MRI system carry digital and analog control signals or power from various peripheral devices to the system.

[0004] [Resonant trap circuit for MRI systems] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizes the nuclear spin of the atomic nuclei of interest. The nuclear spin of hydrogen in water molecules is commonly used to image the human body. In MRI, a strong, uniform static magnetic field called B0 is used to polarize the atomic nuclei. The magnetically polarized nuclear spins generate a magnetic moment in the human body. In the steady state, the magnetic moment is aligned parallel to the direction of the static magnetic field B0, and does not provide any useful information. To acquire an image, the magnetic moment must be disturbed from its steady state by an excitation signal. During excitation, an RF transmit coil generates an excitation magnetic field (B1) aligned perpendicular to the static magnetic field B0, causing it to oscillate at a frequency close to the natural precession of the atomic nuclear spins. The frequency of this precession is the Larmor frequency of the protons in the B0 field, and the excitation signal B1 energizes the nuclear spin system, causing a change in the net rotation of the magnetic moment away from its alignment with the static magnetic field B0. The effectiveness of the B1 field is determined by both the frequency of the precession and the magnitude and duration of the pulse. In MRI, the Larmor frequency or precession frequency refers to the rate of precession of the magnetic moment of a proton around an external magnetic field. The precession frequency is defined by the strength of the magnetic field B0 and the nuclei of interest. The magnitude and duration of the RF pulse determine how much the magnetization tilts or flips, commonly called the flip angle. In receive mode, an RF receive coil tuned to the Larmor frequency detects the precession magnetization, which has returned to its steady state. The precession magnetization induces a current in the receive coil by electromagnetic induction. This induced current is the MR signal, which is a mixture of magnetization from all tissues within the field of view (FOV) of the receive coil. In general, the transmit RF coil can be used as the receive RF coil, or alternatively, the receive RF coil can be a separate receive-only RF coil.

[0005] The magnitude of the energy transmitted from the transmitting RF coil is much larger than the magnitude of the energy of the current induced in the RF receiving coil. Therefore, receiving coils located close to the patient's body will couple strongly to the B1 field during excitation without intervention, which may damage the receiving coil and cause the patient to be affected by the resulting strong local magnetic field. The transmission lines used to transmit the excitation pulses to the transmitting coil or to transmit the MR signal from the receiving coil may behave like antennas in the system. Generally, conductive wires and cables used to transmit power or digital / analog signals exhibit similar behavior. As with resonating receiving coils, coupling can occur between the transmission line and the B1 field. Coupling of the transmission line or receiving coil with the B1 field causes non-uniformity in the transmit flip angle. Non-uniformity in the flip angle reduces the information content of the induced MR signal and is an indicator of a safety problem. To prevent unwanted antenna-like behavior that may reduce the information content, resonant traps are often coupled to the receiving coil or to the transmission line used to transmit the induced MR signal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 220812 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In MRI, it is desirable for excitation and reception to be spatially uniform within the imaging volume to enhance image uniformity. In a typical MRI system, magnetic field uniformity is often achieved by transmitting using a whole-body volume RF coil during excitation. This whole-body transmit coil is generally the largest RF coil in the system and is used to create a uniform B1 field. However, using a large coil for reception also reduces the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), mainly due to the large distance from the tissue to be imaged. Therefore, for reception, small dedicated receive coils that are easy to place close to the patient's body are often used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) from smaller objects. In practice, properly designed specialized RF receive coils are mechanically structured to fit as close to the object as possible and to make handling easy and comfortable for the patient.

[0008] There is a need in the industry for RF receiving coils that are flexible, conforming, and comfortable. For these coils to be safe, they need small frequency trap circuits to prevent coupling between the B1 field and the transmission lines and inductive elements of the receiving coil, and they are mechanically constructed to facilitate easy handling and comfort for the patient. More specifically, there is a need for frequency trap circuits that are mechanically flexible to fit into spaces adjacent to the patient's anatomy so that they can be placed near compact receiving coils placed close to the patient's anatomy. Flexible and comfortable frequency trap circuits are most useful if they can be bent and twisted without compromising the operation of the frequency trap. Thus, provisions are needed to ensure that these circuits are not compromised by any changes to bending or positioning while being placed close to the patient, for example, for MRI imaging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one aspect, a resonant trap circuit is provided that includes a conductor line arranged to include a helical winding section that includes a first helical winding segment and a second helical winding segment helically twisted together, and a capacitor arranged to provide a capacitance between the first helical winding segment and the second helical winding segment.

[0010] In another aspect, the resonant trap circuit is applied to a magnetic resonance imaging system, in which conductive lines for transmitting analog or digital control signals and analog image information are disposed within a magnetic field for exciting atomic nuclei of a subject, and the resonant trap circuit is electrically coupled to the conductive lines to prevent the conductive lines from coupling to the transmitted magnetic field.

[0011] In another aspect, a receive circuit for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided, the receive circuit comprising a receive coil, a transmission line coupled to the receive coil, and a resonant trap circuit, the resonant trap circuit comprising a portion of the transmission line arranged to comprise a spiral winding portion, the resonant trap circuit comprising a capacitor arranged to provide a capacitance across the portion of the spiral winding portion.

[0012] In another aspect, a receive array pad for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided, the receive circuitry comprising a plurality of receive coils arranged such that each receive coil overlaps at least a portion of the other receive coils, and a plurality of transmission lines, each transmission line coupled to a different receive coil, each transmission line arranged to provide a respective resonant trap circuit, each resonant trap circuit comprising respective portions of the respective transmission lines arranged to include respective spiral windings, and each resonant trap circuit comprising a respective capacitor arranged to provide a capacitance across a portion of the respective spiral windings.

[0013] In another aspect, a method of fabricating a resonant trap circuit is provided, the method comprising twisting a portion of a transmission line to form a helical winding section, the helical winding section comprising a first helical winding segment and a second helical winding segment helically twisted together and including a turn at a junction of the first and second helical winding segments, the method further comprising coupling a capacitor between the first and second helical winding segments.

[0014] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0015] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with standard industry practice, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, dimensions of various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. Furthermore, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in various instances. This repetition is for the purposes of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1A] 1 is an exemplary diagram showing an RF transmit coil and an RF receive coil positioned relative to a patient in an MRI system. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a partially transparent top view of an example array pad comprising an array of receive coils coupled to a transmission line comprising a resonant trap. [Diagram 2] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary transmit circuit and an exemplary receive circuit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an example drawing illustrating a perspective view of an example resonant trap circuit coupled to a transmission line. [Figure 4A]4 is an example cross-sectional side view illustrating a portion of the first and second segments of the example coaxial transmission line of FIG. 3 coupled to a capacitor element of a resonant circuit. [Figure 4B] 4 is a cross-sectional end view of a portion of the example coaxial transmission line of FIG. 3 coupled to a capacitor element of a resonant circuit. [Figure 5A] 4 is an illustrative side view of a spiral winding portion of the example resonant trap of FIG. 3. [Figure 5B] 4 is an illustration showing a map of the simulated magnetic field resulting from outer surface current flow in the helical winding portion of the example resonant trap of FIG. 3. [Figure 5C] FIG. 4 is an example simulation of external current paths within the spiral winding portion of the example resonant trap of FIG. 3; [Figure 6A] 13A-13C are exemplary maps depicting flip angles within an exemplary homogeneous water-filled region to illustrate the effect of receive coils, transmission line wiring, and resonant trap circuitry on B1 excitation. [Figure 6B] 13A-13C are exemplary maps depicting flip angles within an exemplary homogeneous water-filled region to illustrate the effect of receive coils, transmission line wiring, and resonant trap circuitry on B1 excitation. [Figure 6C] 13A-13C are exemplary maps depicting flip angles within an exemplary homogeneous water-filled region to illustrate the effect of receive coils, transmission line wiring, and resonant trap circuitry on B1 excitation. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a cross-sectional end view of an unassembled arrangement including a flexible capacitor sheet and the base portions of the first and second segments of the spiral winding. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing the flexible capacitive sheet of FIG. 7A in a state in which a first conductor plate wound in a roll and in contact with a base portion of a first segment and a second conductor plate wound in a roll and in contact with a base portion of a second segment are combined. [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an exemplary resonant trap extending in a generally linear arrangement. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating the frequency decay response of a corresponding example of the resonant trap of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9A]FIG. 8B is an illustration of an example of the resonant trap of FIG. 8A, in which the spiral winding is bent at an angle of about 180 degrees approximately midway through the length of the spiral winding. [Figure 9B] 9B is a diagram illustrating a corresponding exemplary frequency decay response of the folded resonant trap of FIG. 9A. [Figure 10A] FIG. 8B illustrates two exemplary resonant traps identical to the resonant trap of FIG. 8A placed side-by-side. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of frequency attenuation of the side-by-side traps of FIG. 10A. [Figure 11A] FIG. 1 is an illustrative side view of an example of a resonant trap comprising a transmission line that is folded and woven to create three spiral winding segments. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a simplified layout schematic of a resonant trap showing a representation of the folding and braiding of the three helical winding segments of FIG. 11A. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11B is an exemplary electrical schematic of the resonant trap of FIG. [Figure 11D] 11B is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example frequency damping response of the example resonant trap of FIG. 11A. [Figure 12A] FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of an example printed circuit board resonant trap circuit. [Figure 12B] 1 is an exemplary cross-sectional side view of an exemplary printed circuit board resonant trap circuit showing multiple stacked planar conductor layers embedded in a substrate such as a dielectric material. [Figure 12C] 1 is an illustrative drawing showing separate cross-sectional views of individual laminated conductor layers of an example printed circuit board resonant trap circuit; [Figure 13] FIG. 12C is an example schematic diagram illustrating example signal current flow up, down and sideways within the example printed circuit board resonant trap circuit of FIGS. 12A-12C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] FIG. 1A is an illustration of an RF transmit coil 110 and an RF receive coil 112 disposed on a receive array pad 113 in relation to a patient in an MRI system 100. A subject patient 102 lies on a platform 104 in an MRI chamber 106. A main magnet 108 is positioned to generate a static B0 magnetic field. During an excitation mode, one or more transmit coils 110 transmit excitation magnetic field pulses that generate a B1 magnetic field perpendicular to the static B0 magnetic field at a frequency of interest. A number of receive coils 112 are positioned in close proximity to the patient's body. After RF excitation, changes in magnetic flux caused by precession of the net nuclear magnetization in the subject induce MR currents in the receive coils 112, which can be post-processed to extract frequency, phase, and amplitude information used to construct an MR image. As described below, safety considerations generally require at least a minimum spacing (typically about 5 millimeters) between the patient's anatomy and the receive coils 112 and associated electronics.

[0018] 1B is a partially transparent top view of an exemplary receive coil array pad 113 including an array of receive coils 112 coupled to a resonant trap 124. The array of coils 112-1, 112-2 may be disposed within a flexible housing 126, shown in dashed lines, which may be made of a soft cushioning material such as cloth or foam for comfort when placed on a patient's body and to space the coils and associated electrical circuitry away from the patient. The receive coils 112 are made of a flexible conductive material, such as flexible wire or conductive foil. First and second transmission lines 128-1, 128-2 extend between the receive coil array pad 113 and the MRI device 100. The three exemplary first receiving coils 112-1 of the first set are electrically coupled to the first transmission line 128-1 such that one of the three first coils 112-1 is located between the other two first coils 112-1 and each of the three first coils 112-1 overlaps partially, for example, by 20 to 25 percent, with an adjacent one of the other two first coils 112-1. Similarly, the three exemplary second receiving coils 112-2 of the second set are electrically coupled to the second transmission line 128-2 such that one of the three second coils 112-2 is located between the other two second coils 112-2 and each of the three second coils 112-2 overlaps partially, for example, by 20 to 25 percent, with an adjacent one of the other two second coils 112-2. The illustrated first and second sets of receive coils are arranged side-by-side such that each coil in each set overlaps at least one coil in the other set, although in practice they may be spaced apart or overlapping and offset.

[0019] Multiple array pads 113 can be placed at different anatomical locations of the patent to capture the magnetic flux generated during precession. The captured magnetic flux is transmitted to the MRI system 100 via transmission lines 128-1, 128-2 for reconstruction to generate images. The flexible transmission lines 128-1, 128-2, which are respectively coupled to the respective receiving coils 112-1, 112-2, transmit the MR current induced in the coils 112-1, 112-2 during precession back to the MRI system. In the drawing of FIG. 1B, multiple transmission lines 128-1, 128-2 are depicted as being closely bundled together to save space. In the exemplary array pad 113, the transmission lines 128-1, 128-2 are bundled in groups of three, with one transmission line coupled to each circular coil element. The individual or bundled transmission lines 128-1, 128-2 may behave like antennas. A respective resonant trap 124 is coupled at the output of each coil 112-1, 112-2 and spaced no more than ¼ wavelength apart along each transmission line 128-1, 128-2 at the excitation frequency of the B1 signal. The resonant frequency of each trap 124 matches the excitation frequency. A preamplifier circuit 130 is shown coupled to the transmission line between a pair of resonant trap circuits 124, but may be located at any point along the transmission line.

[0020] In this manner, it will be appreciated that the receive coil array pad 113 can conform and shape to the patient's anatomy. The receive coils 112-1, 112-2 are formed of a flexible material. The transmission lines 128-1, 128-2 are flexible, and the resonant trap circuit 124 is formed by an arrangement of segments of the transmission lines 128-1, 128-2. Thus, the flexibility and thickness of the resonant trap circuit 124 is proportional to the flexibility and thickness of the transmission lines 128-1, 128-2. Finally, the receive coils 112-1, 112-2, the transmission lines 128-1, 128-2, and the resonant trap circuit 124 are housed within a flexible housing 126 formed of a soft foam material.

[0021] 2 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary MRI system transmit circuit 202 and an exemplary MRI system receive circuit 204. The exemplary transmit circuit 202 includes a transmit coil 206, an RF power amplifier 207, a pulse generator circuit 208, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit 210, and a computer system 215. An excitation signal transmission line 214 couples the amplifier 207 and the pulse generator circuit 208 to the transmit coil 206. The exemplary receive circuit 204 includes a receive coil 212, an RF power amplifier circuit 218, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit 220, and a computer system 215. A receive signal transmission line 228 couples the receive coil 212 to the amplifier circuit 218. The receive circuit 204 also includes exemplary first and second resonant traps 224a, 224b, sometimes referred to as baluns, coupled to the receive transmission line 228. As shown in dashed lines with reference to resonant trap 224a, each of the first and second resonant traps 224a, 224b comprises a parallel combination of a capacitor 225 and an inductor 226 coupled between a portion of the receive transmission line 228. It will be understood that the second resonant trap 224b comprises a similar arrangement of a capacitor and an inductor (not shown). The first resonant trap 224a is positioned to couple to a portion of the receive transmission line 228 adjacent to the receive coil 212. The example first resonant trap 224a is typically positioned as close as mechanically possible to the receive coil 212. The example first resonant trap 224a is used to prevent the inductor (not shown) of the receive coil 212 from appearing to the scanner as part of the receive transmission line 228. The example second resonant trap 224b is shown positioned along the receive transmission line between the amplifier 218 and the analog-to-digital converter ADC 220. In practice, many additional resonant traps (not shown) may be placed, for example, at the connection between the receive coil 212 and the amplifier 218, and at the connection between the amplifier 218 and the analog-to-digital converter ADC 220. Typically, these resonant traps are placed such that the length of the receive transmission line 228 between the traps is less than ¼ wavelength (relative to the resonant frequency of the scanner).This helps to prevent standing wave motion on the transmission line. Hence, the location of the trap is often determined by the overall length of the cable / transmission line 228.

[0022] It will be appreciated that the receiver circuit 204 of FIG. 2 represents a single receiver coil 212, a single transmission line 228 with corresponding resonant traps 224a, 224b, and electronics (e.g., amplifier 218 and analog-to-digital converter ADC 220). However, as shown in the exemplary drawings of FIGS. 1A-1B, the MRI system 100 often includes multiple receiver circuits 204 arranged in an array, each with a separate coil and transmission line as well as corresponding resonant traps and electronics. The coils are closely packed in an overlapping configuration to ensure adequate coverage of precessional energy and minimize coupling between the receiver coils. Additionally, coil placement is subject to safety regulations. As such, it will be appreciated that the size and flexibility of the resonant traps co-located with the coils are factors in the effective operation of the coils.

[0023] During the excitation mode, the digital-to-analog converter DAC 210 converts digital signals provided by the computer system 215 to analog signals provided to the pulse generator 208. The pulse generator 208 generates a short excitation pulse signal at the Larmor frequency of the MRI system, which is then amplified by the RF amplifier 207 and then transmitted to the patient tissue via the transmit coil 206, causing a net rotational change in the magnet moment of the nuclei 230 in the tissue. During the excitation mode, the first and second resonant traps 224a, 224b, which are coupled to the receive circuitry 204, absorb a common mode current induced in the transmission line 228 by the excitation pulse. During the receive mode, a current is induced in the receive coil at the Larmor frequency due to the precessional magnetization 232 of the nuclei 230 in the target tissue relaxing back to a steady state. This induced signal is passed as a differential signal through the transmission line 228 to the amplifier circuitry 218, which amplifies the induced excitation signal. The secondary portion of the transmission line 228 then carries the amplified signal to the analog-to-digital converter ADC 220 where it is converted to digital form for processing by the computer system 215. All received signals are transmitted as differential signals, here depicted as being transmitted along the transmission line 228. The first and second resonant traps 224a, 224b are coupled during the receive mode so as not to interfere with the transmission of the differential signals and to block only common mode currents.

[0024] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a perspective view of an exemplary resonant trap circuit 300. The exemplary resonant trap 300 includes a portion of a receive transmission line 302 twisted together to form a helical winding 304 that acts as an inductor, and a capacitor 306 coupled between segments of the helical winding 304. The exemplary resonant trap, also referred to as a resonant tank circuit or balun, provides maximum resistance at a selected frequency, referred to as its resonant frequency. In the exemplary resonant trap 300, the capacitance and inductance can be adjusted to select the resonant frequency. The exemplary resonant circuit has a resonant frequency selected to provide maximum resistance at the Larmor frequency of the MRI system. The receive transmission line 302 is mechanically flexible, as is the helical winding that constitutes the continuous portion of the receive transmission line 302. The portion of the transmission line that constitutes the helical winding 304 of the resonant trap determines the flexibility of the resonant trap. Although the radius of the overall helical winding limits the radius of curvature of the overall helical winding portion 304, the individual legs of the helical winding portion 304 maintain the flexibility of their original unwound configuration. FIG. 4A is an example cross-sectional side view of a portion of the first and second segment portions of the example transmission line 302 of FIG. 3 coupled to the capacitor 306 of the resonant trap 300. FIG. 4B is an example cross-sectional end view of a portion of the example transmission line 302 of FIG. 3 coupled to the capacitor 306 of the resonant trap 300. The example transmission line 302 comprises a first conductor 310 and a second conductor 312. The example transmission line of FIGS. 4A-4B comprises a coaxial transmission line comprising the first conductor 310 disposed as the inner conductor of the transmission line 302 and the second conductor 312 disposed as the outer conductor of the transmission line 302. The exemplary transmission line 302 includes a dielectric material 314 interposed between the first and second conductors 310, 312 to electrically isolate the first (inner) conductor 310 from the second (outer) conductor 312. The inner surface 316 and the outer surface 318 of the second (outer) conductor 312, despite being a continuous part of the second conductor 312, behave as electrically isolated surfaces due to the skin effect.The example capacitor 306 is coupled between the outer surface portions 318 of each of the second conductor lines 312 at the bases 307a, 307b of opposing helical winding segments 308a, 308b of the helical winding. As described below, the resonant trap prevents current from flowing freely on the outer surface of the second conductor line at a selected frequency, e.g., the Larmor frequency.

[0025] 3, the exemplary resonant trap 300 comprises a continuous length of transmission line 302 that is folded and twisted to form a helical winding portion 304. A capacitor 306 is electrically coupled between portions of the transmission line at first and second base portions 307a, 307b of each of the helical winding portion 304 opposite the fold 320. The helical winding portion 304 comprises a first helical winding segment 308a that extends between the first base portion 307a of the helical winding portion 304 and the fold 320 at the apex of the helical winding portion 304. The helical winding portion 304 comprises a second helical winding segment 308b that extends between the second base portion 307b of the helical winding portion 304 and the fold 320 at the apex of the helical winding portion 304. When the spiral winding portion 304 is arranged to extend in a linear layout, the longitudinal axis 322 extends through the turn-up portion 320, between the centers of the first and second spiral winding segments 308a, 308b, and between the first and second base portions 307a, 307b.

[0026] Both the first and second helical winding segments 308a and 308b have a radius of curvature that depends at least in part on the radius of curvature of the transmission line 302. In the exemplary resonant trap 300, the minimum radius of curvature of the helical winding section 304 is twice the diameter of the transmission line 302 or the diameter of the entire helical winding section where the helix is ​​tightly wound. A spacer can be placed between the two legs of the helix to effectively increase the radius of the helix and thus make the helix less tightly wound. Also, the thickness of the outer insulating layer of the transmission line can be reduced to allow the helix to be wound more tightly. The minimum radius of curvature of the resonant trap is limited by the diameter of the entire helix. The maximum diameter of the helix is ​​generally application dependent and a function of the self-shielding properties of the trap that the application requires. The self-shielding properties depend on how tightly the resonant trap is wound (the number of twists per length) and how close the two legs of the twist are to each other (the radius of the helix). The particular application determines the level of self-shielding required.

[0027] The first and second transmission line segments 308a, 308b, which are components of a continuous transmission line section, are joined at a junction defined by a turn 320. A portion of the outer insulating layer of the transmission line 302 is stripped to allow fine tuning of the inductance. In the exemplary resonant trap 300, an exemplary capacitor 306, which may be, for example, an integrated circuit capacitor or a ceramic chip capacitor, electrically couples a first base portion 307a of the first spiral winding segment 308a to a second base portion 307b of the second spiral winding segment 308b. Also, a portion of the outer insulating layer of the transmission line 302 is stripped to expose opposing portions 313a, 313b of the outer surface 318 so that the capacitor 306 can be electrically coupled (e.g., soldered) therebetween. In an alternative resonant trap, multiple individual capacitors (not shown) may be coupled in a longitudinally distributed manner between the first and second helical winding segments 308a, 308b. In another alternative embodiment, a single distributed capacitor element may be coupled along the length of the helical turns 304. As described above, each of the first and second helical winding segments 308a, 308b constitutes a portion of the continuous transmission line 302.

[0028] External currents, sometimes referred to as common mode currents, flow in opposite directions in the first and second helical winding segments 308a, 308b of the helical turn 304. Common mode currents can be induced in the resonant traps, for example, during an excitation mode in which the transmit coil transmits a high energy excitation pulse. Current flows in a first direction in the first helical winding segment 308a between the first base portion 307a and the turn portion 320. Current also flows in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, in the second helical winding segment between the second base portion 307b and the turn portion 320. In this manner, current may flow in either direction along a continuous path on the outer surface 318 of the portion of the transmission line 312 that has been twisted to form the helically twisted portion 304, for example, from the first base portion 307a, through the first spiral winding segment 308a to the turn portion 320, and then along the second spiral winding segment 308b to the second base portion 307b.

[0029] The resonant frequency of the resonant tank circuit is determined by factors such as the total length of the transmission line included in the helical turn 304, the approximate cross-sectional area of ​​the helical turn 304, the number of turns in the helical turn 304, and the value and location of the capacitor 306. Additionally, by providing different capacitors across different regions of the helical winding section 304, a resonant tank circuit having more than one resonant frequency can be created. Additionally, the inductance can depend on the dielectric properties associated with the transmit section 302. During the transmit mode, the inductance of the helical winding section 304 in combination with the capacitance of the capacitor 306 forms a resonant circuit on the outer conductor surface 318 of the first and second helical winding segments 308a, 308b forming a high impedance circuit. This high impedance prevents current from flowing freely within the helical winding section 304 along the outer surfaces of the first and second helical winding segments 308a, 308b. In receive mode, differential currents flowing in opposite directions along the first (inner) conductor 310 of the transmission line and along the inner surface 316 of the second conductor 312 will flow undisturbed through the center of the resonant trap due to the skin effect of the current in the second conductor 312 of the cable. In the exemplary resonant trap 300, the first conductor 310 and the inner surface 316 of the second conductor 312 act as differential lines conducting differential signals. The outer surface 318 of the second conductor 312 will act as a conductive surface that does not host differential currents, but does host common mode currents.

[0030] The exemplary transmission line 302 is implemented using a coaxial cable, although alternative exemplary resonant trap circuits may comprise, for example, triaxial or biaxial cables. The exemplary resonant trap circuits may comprise planar transmission lines, for example, including but not limited to, striplines, microstrips, coplanar waveguides, coplanar strips, slotlines, substrate integrated waveguides, fin lines, image lines, or any multi-layer variants thereof. The exemplary resonant trap circuits may comprise balanced lines, for example, including but not limited to, twisted pairs, shielded pairs, star-quad cables, twin-lead, Lecher lines, or parallel lines or parallel wire transmission lines. The exemplary resonant trap circuits may comprise, for example, metallic or dielectric waveguides. Each of the above exemplary transmission lines may be implemented in the manner of, for example, flexible printed circuit boards, one or more layers on a standard printed circuit board, or may be fabricated using solution processing (e.g., printed electronics).

[0031] Figure 5A is an example side view of the helical winding portion 304 of the example resonant trap 300 of Figure 3. Figure 5B is an example diagram showing a map of a simulated magnetic field due to outer surface current flow in the helical winding portion 304 of the example resonant trap 300 of Figure 3. Figure 5C is an example diagram showing an example simulation of outer surface current paths in the helical winding portion 304 of the example resonant trap 300 of Figure 3.

[0032] FIG. 5A shows an axis of symmetry 510 that extends longitudinally within the helical winding section 304 and is equidistant from the first and second winding segments 308a, 308b. FIG. 5B shows that a first region of strongest magnetic field 502, shown in red, is located where the surfaces of the opposing helical winding segments 308a, 308b face towards each other, and a second region of weakest magnetic field 504, shown in blue, is located where the surfaces of the opposing helical winding segments 308a, 308b face away from each other. The individual arrows in FIG. 5C represent the direction of current flow. The size and color of the arrows represent the magnitude of the current flow. Larger sized arrows represent larger magnitude current flow and vice versa. The orientation of the arrows represents the direction of current flow. Red arrows represent maximum current magnitude and blue arrows represent minimum current magnitude. Current flows in opposite directions along the opposing helical winding segments 308a, 308b. FIG. 5C shows that large currents flow along the surface portions of the opposing spiral winding segments 308a, 308b that face each other where the magnetic field is strongest, and small currents flow along the surface portions of the opposing spiral winding segments 308a, 308b that face each other where the magnetic field is weakest.

[0033] More specifically, electromagnetic simulations of the operation of the exemplary resonant trap circuit indicate that external surface currents, such as surface currents induced by the transmission of excitation pulses, follow the shortest induced paths. As shown in FIG. 5C, for the exemplary helical winding section 304, the shortest path between the first and second base portions 307a, 307b of the helical winding section 304 and the turn-up portion 320 is along the inwardly facing surface portions of the first and second helically wound transmission line segments. As shown in FIG. 5C, currents, such as common mode currents, flow in opposite directions along the inwardly facing surface portions of the first and second helically wound helical winding segments 308a, 308b. As shown in FIG. 5B, the magnetic field resulting from the flow of common mode currents is therefore confined to the central portion of the helical winding section 304 between the opposing portions of the opposing helical winding segments 308a, 308b. Thus, the resulting magnetic field from each leg 308a, 308b of the spiral winding is self-shielded rather than radiated. This inherent self-shielding of the spiral winding 304 makes the example resonant circuit 300 less sensitive to external magnetic fields and load changes, thus preventing the resonant circuit 300 from radiating and causing magnetic field sensitivity problems. Any conductive cover, for example made of braid, foil, or tube, can be placed over the entire resonant trap assembly to provide additional electromagnetic shielding, for example.

[0034] The exemplary resonant trap 300 can be tuned by selecting an appropriately sized capacitor 306 used to electrically couple the bases of the first and second helical winding segments 308a, 308b together. The technique for joining the capacitor 306 to the helical winding 304 generally does not affect the performance of the resonant trap circuit 300, provided that a mechanically strong and resilient electrical connection is made (e.g., solder, crimp, glue, etc.). The resonant frequency of the resonant trap is of the form ω~1 / (LC), where L is the inductance of the resonant trap dominated by the inductance of the helix twist, and C is the distributed capacitance of the circuit including the lumped capacitor 306. To fine-tune the frequency, the location where the capacitor 306 couples to the first and second helical winding segments can be selected prior to coupling to adjust the length of the inductor, since shifting the capacitor position changes the length of the helix and therefore the inductance. Also, for fine tuning, a selectable amount of conductive material 324, such as solder, can be added to the turn back region 320 at the apex of the spiral winding to change the path of current flow and adjust the inductance, effectively adjusting the length of the inductor. For illustration purposes, consider, for example, that the turn back region 320 is a small loop, and adding solder fills in some of the area of ​​this loop, effectively making the loop smaller and therefore the inductance smaller. Also, for frequency tuning, the diameter of the spiral winding can be adjusted to modify the total inductance, such as by placing a spacer between the first and second spiral winding segments, by changing the twist of the spiral winding section 304 to increase or decrease the number of turns per radius or length of the winding, or by changing the thickness of the exterior coating on the transmission line. Increasing the spacing increases the radius of the spiral, which in turn increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the spiral. Increasing the radius should increase the inductance, but at the expense of some loss of linearity due to a reduction in some of the distributed capacitance along the spiral. Also, the capacitance of the lumped capacitor elements 306 and / or distributed capacitor elements can be adjusted to adjust the frequency.

[0035] For use in MRI, the exemplary resonant trap 300 can be tuned to resonate at the Larmor frequency of the scanner. As an example, a resonant tank circuit using a spiral inductor has been tuned to operate at 127 MHz to operate in a 3T MRI system. The measured common mode current reduction is between -10 dB and -30 dB depending on the cable length, typically -15 dB for a resonant circuit with a spiral winding length of about 3.5 cm. Thus, an exemplary resonant trap can have a suitable resonant frequency to operate at 3 Tesla, which is about 127 MHz. An exemplary resonant trap can have a suitable resonant frequency to operate at 1.5 Tesla, which is about 64 MHz. An exemplary resonant trap can have a suitable resonant frequency to operate at 7 Tesla, which is about 300 Mhz. Currently available scanners (non-clinical) range from 0.35 T to 10.5 T (14 to 450 MHz). The blocks at these frequencies in these scanners are different and the total length, radius and number of turns of the helix must be changed accordingly to produce a reasonable block.

[0036] For an example resonant trap circuit 300 tuned to operate at 127 MHz, frequency blocking was measured to be between 10 dB and 30 dB. Industry standards for cable traps are also frequency specific, typically ≥15 dB blocking at 3 T and ≥20 dB blocking at 1.5 T. The amount of blocking also impacts B1 perturbation and coil heating. Sufficient blocking should minimize B1 variations (Figures 6A-6C) and pass temperature testing per IEC 60601-1 and IEC 60601-2-33 guidelines.

[0037] 6A-6C show an example of a structure consisting of two homogeneous water-filled regions, with flip angles showing the effect of the receive coil, transmission line cable, and resonant trap on B1 excitation. FIG. 6A shows the base line flip angle in a slice of the region where there is no receive coil present, which can be considered the "gold standard" of performance. FIG. 6B-6C show the flip angle of the same slice directly under the receive coil when there is no resonant trap coupled to the receive coil array (FIG. 6B) and when there is a resonant trap coupled to the receive coil array (FIG. 6C), respectively. The map produced when there is no resonant trap on the coil (FIG. 6B) shows larger deviations in the flip angle from the base line (FIG. 6A), whereas the map from the resonantly trapped receive coil (FIG. 6C) is closer to the base line map (FIG. 6A). Thus, without a resonant trap in the receive coil or receive transmission line to absorb the excitation energy, there is a high probability of non-uniform B1 flip angles, which will degrade the MRI results. Moreover, large variations in B1 are considered a safety issue for MRI because local variations in B1 are often seen simultaneously with local variations in the specific absorption rate (SAR). The maps show that the resonant trap provides a high impedance block to absorb the excitation energy and also show that the resonant trap can prevent the receive coils and transmission lines from interfering with the B1 excitation.

[0038] 7A-7B are example drawings illustrating an alternative flexible capacitor 700 including first and second flexible conductive plates 702a, 702b separated by a flexible dielectric 704. FIG. 7A is an example drawing illustrating an unassembled arrangement including the flexible capacitive layer 700 and a cross-sectional end view of the first and second base portions 307a, 307b of the first and second segments of the helical winding. FIG. 7B is an illustration of the flexible capacitive layer 700 of FIG. 7A with the first conductor 702a wound against the twelfth base portion 307a and the second conductor 702b wound against the second base portion 307b. More specifically, FIG. 7B illustrates a flexible capacitor arranged such that the first conductor 702a is in electrical contact with the outer surface 318 of the second conductor 312 at the first base portion 307a, and the second conductor 702b is in electrical contact with the outer surface 318 of the second conductor 312 at the second base portion 307b. The flexible capacitor 700 is bonded (e.g., soldered) to the base portions 307a, 307b such that an electrically stable connection is established. In an exemplary flexible capacitor, a copper clad laminate is used as the capacitor element, covering each side of the flexible dielectric material. The flexible capacitor is then soldered, for example, to a helically wound transmission line at the junctions 307a, 307b, such that the two plates of the flexible conductive plates 702a, 702b are bonded to opposite sides of the helix. The flexible capacitor can then be wrapped around the helix such that there is no electrical contact between the flexible conductive plates 702a, 702b.

[0039] An example of a flexible capacitor may include first and second conductive plates formed, for example, from a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) material. Alternatively, an example flexible capacitor may include first and second conductive plates formed, for example, from copper clad on opposite sides of a flexible dielectric sheet. The value of the example flexible capacitor may be adjusted based on one or more factors, such as the material properties of the dielectric, the thickness of the dielectric, the area of ​​the conductive sheet, etc. Also, the capacitance may be varied based on the number of internal conductive layers between the external conductive surfaces 702a and 702b in the dielectric 704. In this manner, the flexible capacitor may provide an additional method of adjusting the resonant frequency of the example resonant trap. For example, since the area of ​​the conductor plates determines the capacitance, tuning the resonant trap may be achieved by changing the total area of ​​the flexible capacitor (e.g., cutting the capacitance sheet to reduce the area dimension reduces the capacitance). Additionally, changing the thickness of the dielectric of the flexible capacitor changes the capacitance. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 7B, the flexible capacitor element 700 may be wrapped around a portion of a transmission line to reduce the profile of the resonant trap without reducing the flexibility. Additionally, the longer scroll-like wrapping of the capacitor allows for a longer capacitor to be used without shortening the sides (702a, 702b) or significantly increasing the size / profile of the resonant trap. Arrow 713 shows how the scroll can optionally continue to wrap.

[0040] Flexible capacitor elements can exhibit improved mechanical stability, for example, increased resistance to damage from shock. The mechanical limitation of a flexible capacitor is the bond between the cable and the capacitor, whereas ceramic chip capacitors or integrated circuit capacitors can be more easily shattered by shock. A resonant trap using a flexible capacitor can be tuned by cutting the rolled capacitance sheet in contact with the bases of the first and second segments. Thus, a resonant trap with a flexible capacitor can be tuned relatively easily.

[0041] Figure 8A is an illustration of an exemplary resonant trap 800 having a helical winding (not visible) with a rolled capacitor 804 enclosed within a cover 802, where the helical winding (under the cover 802) runs in a generally linear arrangement. Figure 8B is an illustration of a corresponding exemplary measured frequency attenuation response at 127 Mhz for the resonant trap of Figure 8A. The cover, which may be, for example, plastic, prevents the helix from unwinding.

[0042] FIG. 9A illustrates the example resonant trap 800 of FIG. 8A with the helical winding (not visible) within the cover 802 bent at an angle of about 180 degrees approximately midway through the length of the helical winding. FIG. 9B illustrates the corresponding example measured frequency attenuation response of the bent trap at about 127 Mhz. Thus, bending the helical winding of the resonant trap has little effect on the frequency blocking characteristics. More specifically, the self-shielding provided by the helical winding 304 renders the resonant trap 300, 800 substantially insensitive to bending along the central axis 510. Furthermore, the self-shielding renders the resonant trap 300, 800 substantially insensitive to twisting about the central axis 510. Furthermore, the absence of a rigid solid core material within the trap 800 and the absence of a rigid Faraday cage surrounding the trap 800 allows for flexibility in the trap turns such that the trap 800 can be folded back (folded) without changing the frequency attenuation.

[0043] FIG. 10A is an illustration of two exemplary resonant traps 800a, 800b, each identical to the resonant trap 800 of FIG. 8A, arranged side-by-side. FIG. 10B is an example diagram showing corresponding exemplary measured frequency attenuation responses at 127 Mhz for the two side-by-side traps 800a, 800b. It will be appreciated that the inherent self-shielding of the resilient traps 800a, 800b allows them to be placed close to each other without shifting the frequency attenuation of either of them. The self-shielding of the helix structure 304 makes the resonant trap insensitive to external magnetic fields and load changes.

[0044] FIG. 11A is an exemplary side view of an exemplary resonant trap 1100 comprising a transmission line that is folded and braided to create three helical winding segments 1108a, 1108b, 1108c. FIG. 11B is a simplified layout schematic of the resonant trap 1100 showing a representation of the folds and braids of the three helical winding segments 1108a, 1108b, 1108c. The resonant trap 1100 comprises a first fold 1120a between the second segment 1108b and the third segment 1108c, and a second fold 1120b between the third segment 1108c and the first segment 1108a. To simplify the drawing, the second segment 1108b is shown as a straight line. FIG. 11C is an exemplary electrical schematic of the resonant trap 1100. The first capacitor 1106a is coupled between the second segment 1108b and the junction 1120b between the first segment 1108a and the third segment 1108c. The second capacitor 1106b is coupled between the first segment 1108a and the junction 1120a between the second segment 1108b and the third segment 1108c. FIG. 11D is an illustration showing corresponding example frequency damping responses at 75 MHz and 160 MHz for the example resonant trap 1100. It will be appreciated that more than two spiral winding segments can be wound within the trap circuit and corresponding capacitor circuits can be provided to add additional damping response. However, adding more segments increases the stiffness and reduces the flexibility of the trap. Capacitance and inductance can also be selected in each subsection of the trap to tune each subsection to a single frequency and provide additional points of resistance to common mode currents.

[0045] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an exemplary printed circuit board (PCB) ("PCB trap") resonant trap circuit 1200. FIG. 12B is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary printed circuit board PCB trap 1200 showing multiple stacked flat conductor layers embedded in a substrate, such as a dielectric, e.g., a polymeric or ceramic material, arranged to form respective first and second spiral segments 1208A, 1208B of a spiral winding portion 1204. The flexibility of the printed circuit board PCB trap is directly related to the flexibility of the substrate layers. If the exemplary printed circuit board PCB trap is printed on a flexible film, e.g., a polyimide film, the printed circuit board PCB trap will be inherently flexible, whereas if the exemplary printed circuit board PCB trap is printed on an inflexible film, e.g., an XPC, the printed circuit board PCB trap will not be flexible. FIG. 12C is an illustration showing six separate cross-sectional views of the individual stacked conductor layers of FIG. 12B shown side-by-side. The exemplary printed circuit board PCB trap 1200 includes first through sixth conductor layers 1-6. The first conductor layer 1 is at the top of the printed circuit board PCB trap, and the sixth conductor layer 6 is at the bottom of the printed circuit board PCB. Each of the first through sixth substrate layers 1-6 is printed on a different layer of the printed circuit board PCB trap, and vias are used to electrically connect the different layers of the printed circuit board PCB together. References to orientation, e.g., top, bottom, and vertical, are used for convenience and are not intended to be limiting. Other exemplary printed circuit board PCB traps (not shown) can include, for example, a different number of layers. It will be appreciated that the printed circuit board PCB trap can include, for example, striplines constructed from flexible circuit boards, or microstrip or other microstrip lines.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 12A, the top conductor layer 1 of the printed circuit board PCB trap 1200 includes first and second signal pads 1222, 1224 and first and second ground pads 1226, 1228. Note that the capacitor 1230 is not shown. Referring to FIG. 12B, a first base portion 1207A of a first spiral segment 1208A similar to 307a of the resonant trap 300 of FIG. 3 extends between the location of the first signal pad 1222 and the first ground pad 1226 and an apex portion 1220 similar to the turn portion 320 of the resonant trap 300 of FIG. 3. A second base portion 1207B of a second spiral segment 1208B similar to 307b of the resonant trap 300 of FIG. 3 extends between the location of the second signal pad 1224 and the second ground pad 1228 and an apex portion 1220. The first and second spiral segments 1208A, 1208B form a continuous electrical circuit extending through the apex 1220, for example, such that electrical current can flow up one of the first and second spiral segments 1208A, 1208B and down the other. In operation, the first and second spiral segments 1208A, 1208B shield each other from external magnetic fields by the same self-shielding mechanism as the resonant trap 300 of FIG.

[0047] 12B-12C, the spiral winding segments 1208A, 1208B comprise three conductive traces that pass between layers on the printed circuit board PCB to create a helical twist. Referring to the first spiral winding segment 1208A as an example, the differential signal is passed to the trap at the signal and ground pad inputs, 1222 and 1226, respectively. The signal passed to pad 1222 is routed through a via to the second layer 2 and passes along path 1208A between the second layer 2 and the fifth layer 5 to the apex 1220. The ground reference passed to the printed circuit board PCB through pad 1226 is connected directly to path 1208A on the first layer 1 and by a via to path 1208A on the third layer 3. The ground trace then travels along 1208A between the first layer 1 and the third layer 3, the fourth layer 4 and the sixth layer 6, to the apex 1220. The example first conductor layer 1 and the example third conductor layer 3 are wider than the example second conductor layer 2, and in the vertically stacked configuration of FIG. 12B, the signal conductor layer 2 acts as a signal conductor trace located between the ground conductor layer 1 and the ground conductor layer 3, which together act as a ground plane surrounding the signal. Similarly, the example conductor layers 4 and 6 act as grounds, and the example conductor layer 5 acts as a signal conductor trace. The example fourth conductor layer 4 and the example sixth conductor layer 6 are again wider than the example fifth conductor layer 5, and in the stacked configuration of FIG. 12B, the signal conductor layer 5 is located between the ground conductor layer 4 and the ground conductor layer 6.

[0048] Each conductive via formed in the substrate material electrically couples corresponding locations of conductive layers 2 and 5. Additionally, each conductive via formed in the dielectric material electrically couples corresponding locations of external ground conductor layers 1 and 6. Additionally, each conductive via formed in the dielectric material can be positioned to electrically couple corresponding locations between equivalent ground layers 1 and 3, 4 and 6 (not shown).

[0049] Current in the printed circuit board PCB trap takes the shortest path along the conductor layers in the printed circuit board PCB trap 1200, similar to that shown in the resonant trap 300 of FIG. 5C. Ground conductor layers 3 and 4 are the closest inward facing ground layers to each other in the printed circuit board PCB trap, and therefore the greatest current flow is likely to be in the ground conductor layers 3 and 4. This is similar to, for example, the greater current flow in the inward facing portions of the first and second helical winding segments 308a, 308b of the coaxial cable resonant trap 300 of FIG. 3. Ground conductor layers 1 and 6 are the furthest outward facing layers from each other, and therefore the least current flow is likely to be in the ground conductor layers 1 and 6. This is similar to, for example, the less current flow in the outward facing portions of the first and second helical winding segments 308a, 308b of the coaxial cable resonant trap 300 of FIG. 3.

[0050] Ground layer 1 is electrically coupled to first ground pad 1226. A respective via couples second ground pad 1228 to ground layer 6. A respective via electrically couples first signal pad 1222 to signal conductor layer 2. A respective via electrically couples second signal pad 1224 to signal conductor layer 5. A first terminal of capacitor 1230 is electrically coupled to ground conductor layer 1 and a via in pad 1230 electrically couples a second terminal of the capacitor to ground conductor layer 6.

[0051] 13 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary signal current flowing up and down through the printed circuit board PCB trap 1200 between signal conductor layer 2 and signal conductor layer 4. An exemplary current 1340 enters the printed circuit board PCB through pad 1222 on the first layer 1 and passes through a via to the second layer 2. The current then flows across the second layer 2 along signal conductor segment 1251 and through via 1351 to signal conductor segment 1252 on the fifth layer 5. The current 1340 then flows across the fifth layer 5 along signal conductor segment 1252 and through via 1352 to signal conductor segment 1253 on the second layer 2. The next current 1340 flows along signal conductor segment 1253 on the second layer 2 and through via 1353 to signal conductor segment 1254 on the fifth layer 5. The next current 1340 flows along signal conductor segment 1254 across layer 5 and through via 1354 to signal conductor segment 1255 on layer 2. Note that via 1354 generally corresponds to turn-back region 320 at the apex of spiral winding 300 in FIG. 3. The current 1340 then flows along signal conductor segment 1255 across layer 2 and through via 1355 to signal conductor segment 1256 on layer 5. The next current 1340 flows along signal conductor segment 1256 across layer 5 and through via 1356 to signal conductor segment 1257 on layer 2. The next current 1340 flows along signal conductor segment 1257 across layer 2 and through via 1357 to signal conductor segment 1258 on layer 5. The signal is then returned through the via to pad 1224 on layer 1. Exemplary conductor segments 1251, 1252, 1253, and 1254 are components of a first spiral segment 1208 A. Exemplary conductor segments 1255, 1256, 1257, and 1258 are components of a second spiral segment 1208 B. In the color version of FIG. 13, the current path portion 1340 in the first spiral segment 1208 A is colored white, and the current path portion 1340 in the second spiral segment 1208 B is colored blue.Thus, the exemplary arrangement of signal conductor segments 1251, 1253, 1255, and 1257 on substrate layer 2, and the arrangement of signal conductors 1252, 1254, 1256, and 1258 on substrate layer 5, and the coupling of the segments by vias 1351-1357, to cause current flow to follow a spiral path within the substrate material of the printed circuit board PCB trap 1200, is similar to the spiral current flow in the resonant trap 300 of Figure 3. One skilled in the art will appreciate that ground conductor layers 1, 3, 4, and 6 are similarly arranged with interleaved conductor segments that follow a spiral ground conductor path within the substrate material of the printed circuit board PCB trap 1200.

[0052] The exemplary resonant trap circuits 300, 1100, 1200 have a wide range of applications. Power lines carrying digital or analog power control signals can run through a magnetic field. The exemplary resonant trap circuits can be used, for example, to prevent the power lines from acting as antennas in the presence of the magnetic field by attenuating the signals at the frequency of the magnetic field. The resonant trap essentially chops up the power lines into shorter segments that do not resonate in the presence of the magnetic field. The resonant trap circuits can also be used in other RF applications, such as, for example, cell phones, RF broadband, laptops, etc.

[0053] [Various examples] An example of a resonant trap can be given. Example 1 comprises a resonant trap circuit comprising a conductor line arranged to comprise a helical winding portion comprising a first helical winding segment and a second helical winding segment twisted helically around each other, and a capacitor arranged to provide a capacitance between the first helical winding segment and the second helical winding segment.

[0054] A second embodiment can include the subject matter of the first embodiment, in which the flexibility of the spiral winding portion is proportional to the flexibility of the conductor line. Example 3 can include the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the resonant trap has a frequency-dependent resistance, and the helical winding portion has an axis of symmetry that is equidistant from the first and second helical winding segments and extends longitudinally within the helical winding portion, and the helical winding portion can bend along the axis of symmetry without substantially changing the frequency attenuation response.

[0055] Example 4 may include the subject matter of example 3, in which the helical winding may be bent up to 180 degrees along the axis of symmetry without substantially changing the frequency attenuation response.

[0056] Example 5 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the resonant trap circuit has a frequency damping response, and the helical winding portion has an axis of symmetry that is equidistant from the first and second helical winding segments and extends longitudinally within the helical winding portion, and the helical winding portion can be deformed about the axis of symmetry without substantially changing the frequency damping response.

[0057] Example 6 can include the subject matter of example 3 such that the helical winding portion can be varied up to 360 degrees about the axis of symmetry without substantially changing the frequency attenuation response.

[0058] Example 7 may include the subject matter of example 1, in which the thickness of the spiral winding portion is proportional to the thickness of the conductor line. Example 8 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the thickness of the spiral winding portion is proportional to the number of winding segments of the spiral winding portion.

[0059] Example 9 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the helical winding portion is arranged to include a turn defining a junction between the first helical winding segment and the second helical winding segment.

[0060] Example 10 can include the subject matter of example 1, further including a conductive material deposited on a portion of the turn to adjust the inductance of the spiral winding portion. Example 11 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the conductor line segment is arranged to include a fold having a 180 degree fold at a junction of the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment.

[0061] Example 12 can include the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the spiral winding portion includes a turn-up portion at a junction of the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment, the first spiral winding segment includes a first base portion and extends between the first base portion and the turn-up portion, and the second spiral winding segment includes a second base portion and extends between the second base portion and the turn-up portion.

[0062] Example 13 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the capacitor comprises a self-capacitance between the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment. Example 14 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the capacitor includes at least one external capacitor electrically coupled between the first base portion and the second base portion.

[0063] Example 15 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the first spiral winding segment has one or more respective first inward-facing surface portions, and the second spiral winding segment has one or more respective second inward-facing surface portions, and the one or more first inward-facing surface portions face the one or more second inward-facing surface portions.

[0064] Example 16 can include the subject matter of Example 1, wherein opposing opposing surfaces of the first and second spiral winding segments are disposed within the spiral winding section to self-shield magnetic and electric fields caused by current flow within the spiral winding section.

[0065] Example 17 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the conductor line comprises a transmission line and the spiral winding portion comprises a continuous portion of the transmission line. Example 18 can include the subject matter of example 1, where the conductor line comprises a transmission line, the transmission line comprising a first conductor, a second conductor, and a dielectric material therebetween, and the capacitor comprises at least one external capacitor, the at least one external capacitor coupled between a portion of the second conductor in the first spiral winding segment and a portion of the second conductor in the second spiral winding segment.

[0066] Example 19 may include the subject matter described in claim 1, wherein the conductor line comprises a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising an outer conductor, an inner conductor and a dielectric material therebetween, and the capacitor comprises at least one external capacitor, the at least one external capacitor coupled between a portion of the outer conductor in the first spiral winding segment and a portion of the outer conductor in the second spiral winding segment.

[0067] Example 20 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the conductor line comprises a transmission line, the transmission line comprising at least two conductors separated by a dielectric. Example 21 can include the subject matter of example 1, where the capacitor comprises at least one external capacitor coupled between the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment, the conductor line comprises a transmission line, the transmission line comprises at least two conductors separated by a dielectric, and at least one portion of the at least two conductors is coupled to the at least one capacitor, and at least one other portion of the at least two conductors is not coupled to the at least one capacitor.

[0068] Example 22 may include the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the conductor line comprises a transmission line, the transmission line comprises at least two conductors separated by a dielectric, at least one portion of the at least two conductors functions as a differential signal line, and at least one other portion of the at least two conductors functions as a potential reference for the differential signal line.

[0069] Example 23 can include the subject matter of Example 1, where the capacitor comprises at least one external capacitor coupled between the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment, the conductor line comprises a transmission line, the transmission line comprises at least two conductors separated by a dielectric, the transmission line comprises a differential line and a ground shield, and the at least one capacitor is coupled between a portion of the ground shield in the first spiral winding segment and a portion of the ground shield in the second spiral winding segment.

[0070] Example 24 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the at least one capacitor comprises a plurality of capacitor elements. Example 25 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the at least one capacitor comprises a distributed capacitance between the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment.

[0071] Example 26 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the conductor line comprises a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising an outer conductor, an inner conductor and a dielectric material therebetween, and the at least one capacitor comprises a distributed capacitance supplied by one of two or more shields of the coaxial cable.

[0072] Example 27 can include the subject matter of example 1, where the capacitor includes at least one external capacitor coupled between the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment, the at least one capacitor including a dielectric layer having first and second conductor layers on opposite sides of the dielectric layer, the first conductor layer being disposed in mechanical and / or electrical contact with the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment being disposed in mechanical and / or electrical contact with the second spiral winding segment.

[0073] Example 28 can include the subject matter of example 27, wherein the dielectric material comprises a flexible dielectric material. Example 29 can include the subject matter of example 1, further including a flexible cover that surrounds at least a portion of the helical winding and prevents unwinding of the helical winding.

[0074] Example 30 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the conductor trace comprises a multilayer printed circuit. Example 31 can include the subject matter of Example 30, in which the multilayer printed circuit comprises a layered dielectric substrate and conductor traces coupled to signal conductors and ground conductors disposed on different layers within the layered dielectric substrate, with both the signal conductor trace and the ground conductor trace following parallel spiral paths within the substrate.

[0075] Example 32 may include the subject matter of Example 30, wherein the resonant trap circuit further includes a rigid or flexible layered dielectric substrate, the conductor line including first and second ground conductors disposed on different layers within the substrate and following a spiral path within the substrate, and the conductor line further includes a signal conductor located between the first and second ground conductors within the substrate and following a spiral path within the substrate.

[0076] Example 33 can include the subject matter of example 1, wherein the spiral winding portion further includes a third spiral winding segment, the first, second, and third spiral winding segments being twisted together, and further including a capacitance between the second spiral winding segment and the first or third spiral winding segment.

[0077] An embodiment of the receiving circuit may comprise: Example 34 can include a receive circuit for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The receive circuit can include a receive coil, a transmission line coupled to the receive coil, and a first resonant trap circuit. The first resonant trap circuit can include a first portion of the transmission line arranged to include a first helical winding portion, and a first capacitor arranged to provide a capacitance across a portion of the first helical winding portion.

[0078] Example 35 can include the subject matter of example 34, wherein the first capacitor comprises a self-capacitance across the first spiral winding portion. Example 36 can include the subject matter of example 34, wherein the first capacitor comprises at least one external capacitor coupled across the first helical winding portion.

[0079] Example 37 can include the subject matter of example 34, further comprising two or more resonant trap circuits, each comprising a respective second portion of the transmission line arranged to include a second helical winding portion and a respective second capacitor arranged to provide capacitance across a portion of the second helical winding portion.

[0080] Example 38 can include the subject matter of example 37, wherein the first resonant trap and each second resonant trap have matched frequency attenuation, and the first resonant trap circuit and each second resonant trap circuit are spaced apart from each other by less than or equal to ¼ wavelength of the resonant frequency.

[0081] Example 39 can include the subject matter of example 37, wherein the first and each second resonant trap attenuate different frequencies. Example 40 can include the subject matter of example 35, wherein the first and respective second resonant trap circuits are arranged side-by-side.

[0082] Example 41 can include the subject matter of example 35, wherein at least one of the first and each second resonant trapping circuit is folded back at least 180 degrees. Example 42 can include the subject matter of example 34, wherein the receiving coil is formed of a flexible material.

[0083] An embodiment of a receiver circuit array pad may be provided. Example 43 can include a receiver circuit array pad for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, the receiver circuit array pad including a plurality of receiver coils arranged such that each receiver coil overlaps at least a portion of another receiver coil, and a plurality of transmission lines each coupled to a different receiver coil, each transmission line arranged to provide a respective first resonant trap circuit, each first resonant trap circuit including a respective first portion of the respective transmission line arranged to include a respective first helical winding portion, and a respective first capacitor arranged to provide capacitance across a portion of the respective first helical winding portion.

[0084] Example 44 can include the subject matter of example 43, wherein each first capacitor has a self-capacitance across each first spiral winding portion.

[0085] Example 45 can include the subject matter of example 43, wherein each first capacitor comprises a respective at least one external capacitor coupled across each first helical winding portion.

[0086] Example 46 can include the subject matter of example 43, wherein each transmission line is arranged to provide a respective second resonant trap circuit, each second resonant trap circuit comprising a respective second portion of the transmission line arranged to include a respective second helical winding portion, and a respective second capacitor arranged to provide capacitance across a portion of the respective second helical winding portion.

[0087] Example 47 can include the subject matter of example 46, wherein each of the first and second resonant traps formed by the respective transmission lines attenuates different frequencies, and each of the first and second resonant trap circuits formed by the respective transmission lines are spaced apart from each other by less than or equal to ¼ wavelength of the resonant frequency.

[0088] Example 48 can include the subject matter of example 43, wherein the receiving coil is formed of a flexible material. Example 49 may further comprise the subject matter of example 44, comprising a housing formed of a flexible material and enclosing the plurality of receive coils.

[0089] An embodiment of the manufacturing method may comprise the following. Example 50 can include a method of manufacturing a resonant trap circuit including twisting a portion of a transmission line to form a spiral winding section, the spiral winding section including a first spiral winding segment and a second spiral winding segment helically twisted together and including a turn at a junction of the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment, and coupling at least one capacitor between the first spiral winding segment and the second spiral winding segment.

[0090] Example 51 can include the subject matter of example 50, wherein the coupling includes coupling a capacitor between respective ground shield portions of the transmission line in each of the first and second spiral winding segments.

[0091] Example 52 can include the subject matter of example 50, wherein the coupled capacitor element is made of a flexible dielectric sheet covered on two sides by a flexible conductive coating, and the flexible capacitor element is scroll-wrapped around the helical twist of the transmission line such that the profile of the resonant trap circuit is reduced without shortening the capacitor.

[0092] Example 53 can include the subject matter of example 52, in which the secondary inductance and capacitance of the capacitor element is adjusted by tightening or loosening the scroll winding of the capacitor element.

[0093] Example 54 can include the subject matter of example 50, further including adjusting the inductance of the spiral winding portion. Example 55 can include the subject matter of example 54, wherein adjusting the inductance of the spiral winding portion includes adjusting the amount of conductor in the turned-up portion.

[0094] Example 56 can include the subject matter of example 54, wherein adjusting the inductance of the spiral winding portion includes adjusting a radius of the spiral winding portion. Example 57 can include the subject matter of example 54, wherein adjusting the inductance of the spiral winding portion includes adjusting an amount of conductive shielding around the spiral winding portion.

[0095] Example 58 can include the subject matter of example 54, wherein adjusting the inductance of the spiral winding portion includes adjusting a position at which the capacitor is coupled to the spiral winding portion.

[0096] Example 59 may include the subject matter of example 50, further including disposing a flexible cover around the helical winding portion. Example 60 can include the subject matter of example 50, where a length of transmission line is threaded through the helical winding to form an additional leg of the helix.

[0097] Example 61 may comprise the subject matter of example 60, wherein the transmission line forming the additional leg of the spiral is electrically continuous with the transmission line forming one of the first two legs of the spiral winding portion.

[0098] Example 62 can include the subject matter of example 60, wherein the transmission line is added to a spiral winding section that includes two or more sections. Example 63 can include the subject matter of example 60, wherein a capacitor is coupled between a ground shield of the additional leg of the spiral and one or more of the original spiral windings.

[0099] The above description is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use a resonant trap. Various modifications to the examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other examples and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the above description, numerous details are set forth for purposes of illustration. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the examples of the present disclosure may be practiced without the use of these specific details. In other examples, well-known processes are shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. The same reference numbers are used in several places to represent different views of the same or similar items in different drawings. Thus, the foregoing description and drawings of the embodiments and examples are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Thus, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art may make various modifications to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method of manufacturing a resonant trap circuit, the method comprising: twisting a portion of the transmission line to form a helical winding portion, the helical winding portion including a first helical winding segment and a second helical winding segment that are helically intertwined and including a turn at a junction of the first helical winding segment and the second helical winding segment; coupling at least one capacitor between the first helical winding segment and the second helical winding segment; The method comprises:

2. the step of coupling at least one of the capacitors comprises coupling the capacitor between each of the ground shield portions of the transmission line in each of the first and second spiral winding segments. The method of claim 1.

3. the bonded capacitor is made of a flexible dielectric sheet covered on two sides by a flexible conductive coating; said step of coupling at least one of said capacitors comprises winding said capacitor in a scroll manner around said helical braid of said transmission line such that a profile of said resonant trap circuit is reduced without shortening said capacitor. The method of claim 1.

4. The step of coupling at least one of the capacitors includes the step of adjusting the secondary inductance and capacitance of the capacitor by tightening or loosening a scroll winding of the capacitor. The method according to claim 3.

5. The method further comprises adjusting an inductance of the spiral winding portion. The method of claim 1.

6. The step of adjusting the inductance of the spiral winding portion includes adjusting an amount of conductor in the folded portion. The method according to claim 5.

7. The step of adjusting the inductance of the spiral winding portion includes adjusting a radius of the spiral winding portion. The method according to claim 5.

8. adjusting the inductance of the helical winding portion comprises adjusting an amount of conductive shielding around the helical winding portion. The method according to claim 5.

9. adjusting the inductance of the spiral winding portion includes adjusting a position at which the capacitor is coupled to the spiral winding portion. The method according to claim 5.

10. The method further includes disposing a flexible cover about the helical winding. The method of claim 1.

11. The method further comprising passing a length of transmission line through the spiral winding to form an additional leg of the spiral. The method of claim 1.

12. The method further comprises the step of electrically connecting the transmission line forming the additional leg to the transmission line forming one of the first two legs of the spiral winding portion. The method of claim 11.

13. The method further comprising adding a transmission line to the spiral winding portion having more than two sections. The method of claim 11.

14. The method further comprising coupling a capacitor between a ground shield of the additional leg and one or more of the original spiral winding portions. The method of claim 11.

Images