Overmoulded Cable Traps for MR Shield Current Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF traps for magnetic resonance (MR) apparatuses experience inconsistent performance due to variable positioning on electrical cables, leading to unreliable suppression of shield currents.
Innovation Solution
The RF trap is fixed in position on the electrical cable using an overmoulding process with thermoplastic material, creating an overmoulded cable trap that ensures consistent performance by maintaining the RF trap's location relative to the cable ends and other traps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a floating RF trap is used that can be easily added and adjusted in position on the electrical cable, then the ease of installation and adjustment is improved, but the reliability of consistent performance deteriorates due to variable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical cable is divided into sections with RF traps positioned at specific intervals. Each RF trap is positioned at a predetermined distance from cable ends and other traps, creating standardized segments that ensure consistent performance while maintaining ease of installation through modular positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The positions of RF traps are predetermined and pre-planned during the cable design phase. Markings or guides are pre-applied to the cable to indicate exact positioning locations, allowing installers to easily position traps correctly without requiring complex measurements or adjustments during installation.
2Reliability
If the RF trap position is fixed on the electrical cable, then the reliability of performance is improved, but the ease of installation and adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning markings, alignment features, or pre-drilled holes are incorporated into the cable assembly before the RF traps are installed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when installation occurs, the traps can be quickly and accurately positioned at the correct locations without requiring complex measurements or adjustments.
3Reliability
If multiple RF traps are added to the electrical cable to improve shield current suppression, then the effectiveness of suppression is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into standardized sections with RF traps positioned at regular intervals. This segmentation creates a modular system where the number and position of traps follow a simple pattern, making the multi-trap system easier to design, install, and maintain compared to a non-modular approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF traps are designed as universal components that can be applied to different cable types and configurations. The positioning system and mounting mechanism are standardized across all applications, reducing the overall complexity by using the same components and methods regardless of the specific cable or application requirements.
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
The overmoulded cable trap provides reliable and consistent suppression of shield currents, enhancing the operational stability and safety of MR systems by minimizing electromagnetic interference and mechanical shock, while being cost-effective and easy to handle and clean.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoplastic material is moulded over the RF trap and the section of the electrical cable
Data Source
AI summary
An overmoulded cable trap (302) for improved performance of an RF trap (102) is disclosed, wherein the RF trap (102) is placed on a section of an electrical cable (104) and fixed in position by overmoulding a thermoplastic material over both the RF trap (102) and the section of the electrical cable (104). The overmoulded cable trap (302) disclosed herein provides an RF trap (102) that has better shock protection, increased resistance to moisture, improved smoothness, is easier to handle and clean, is cheaper, can be created in very small packages where space is limited, can be easily sized to a range of diameters and lengths, is more reliable with respect to maximum rated voltage and less electromagnetic coupling to the environment, and generates less heat, than other designs of RF traps.