Continuous MRI Common Mode Trap Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional common mode traps for MRI systems face challenges in accurately placing and efficiently managing transmitter-driven currents, leading to field distortions and heating issues, and are often costly and unwieldy due to the need for discrete baluns.
Innovation Solution
A continuous common mode trap assembly with contiguously disposed traps along a central conductor, featuring a dielectric spacer and counter-wound conductors, provides high impedance to reduce transmitter-driven currents and distribute heat effectively, while being lightweight and flexible for easy interfacing with MRI coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional discrete common mode traps or blocking circuits are used, then common mode impedance is provided to mitigate transmitter driven currents, but placement difficulty increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete common mode traps into a single continuous common mode trap assembly that extends along the cable length. This integration eliminates the need for multiple separate components and simplifies placement, while maintaining effective common mode blocking throughout the entire cable interface with the MRI coil.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous common mode trap assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides common mode blocking along the entire cable length, distributes heat generation uniformly, and interfaces universally with MRI coils regardless of specific cable positioning, making it adaptable to various coil configurations without requiring repositioning.
2Reliability
If conventional discrete common mode traps are used, then common mode impedance is provided, but excessive voltage and power dissipation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous common mode trap assembly is constructed from multiple individual trap sections connected in series along the cable. This segmentation distributes the impedance loading and power dissipation across many small sections rather than concentrating it in a single discrete component, reducing voltage stress and heat generation at any one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous arrangement of common mode traps along the entire cable length provides uninterrupted common mode blocking and distributes the energy dissipation continuously along the cable, preventing localized overheating and voltage breakdown that occurs with discrete traps positioned at specific points.
3Reliability
If additional discrete baluns or common mode traps are added, then common mode blocking is improved, but cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the common mode trapping function directly into the cable construction itself, combining the trap assembly with the cable components (conductors, dielectric, shielding). This integration eliminates the need for separate discrete balun components and reduces assembly steps, lowering manufacturing cost and complexity while providing continuous common mode blocking.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cable positioning varies, then adaptability to different coil configurations is improved, but placement of conventional discrete traps becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous common mode trap assembly provides universal common mode blocking that is effective regardless of cable positioning or coil configuration. The distributed nature of the trap assembly along the cable ensures that blocking functionality is maintained at all interfaces between the cable and coil, making the system adaptable to various MRI coil types and positions without requiring adjustment of trap placement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves MRI system performance by minimizing interaction with magnetic fields, distributing heat to prevent hot spots, ensuring consistent common mode blocking, and reducing costs through a flexible and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
The common mode traps are configured to provide an impedance to reduce transmitter driven currents of the MRI system
Implementation Method 2
The first common mode trap conductor is wrapped in a spiral about the dielectric spacer in a first direction, and the second common mode trap conductor is counter-wrapped about the dielectric spacer in a second direction opposite to the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous common mode trap assembly includes a central conductor and plural common mode traps. The central conductor has a length, and is configured to transmit a signal between a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) receive coil and at least one processor of an MRI system. The plural common mode traps extend along at least a portion of the length of the central conductor. The common mode traps are disposed contiguously. The common mode traps are configured to provide an impedance to reduce transmitter driven currents of the MRI system.