Planar Balun Auxiliary Winding for MRI Impedance Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The standardization of baluns in high-frequency amplification apparatuses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems across different magnetostatic field intensities is challenging, leading to increased component count and cost due to the need for impedance adjustment using coils or inductances.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an auxiliary winding in the planar balun, formed using printed wiring, which functions as inductance and reduces impedance, allowing for increased impedance conversion rates without adding additional components like coils or capacitors, enabling balun standardization across different MRI system field strengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a coil or inductance is added to a balun for impedance adjustment, then impedance matching is improved, but component count and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the impedance adjustment function into the balun structure itself by adding an auxiliary winding to the planar transformer. This integration eliminates the need for separate coils or inductance components, achieving impedance matching while reducing component count. The auxiliary winding is constructed using the same printed wiring board technology as the main balun, further simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary winding serves multiple functions: it provides impedance adjustment and enables the balun to be adapted for different magnetostatic field intensities (1.5T, 3.0T, etc.). This multi-functionality allows a single standardized balun design to serve multiple MRI system configurations, reducing the need for different component types across different field strengths.
2Reliability
If different sized baluns are used for different magnetostatic field intensities, then performance is optimized, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal balun design that can be used across different magnetostatic field intensities (1.5T, 3.0T, and other strengths). By incorporating an auxiliary winding that can be selectively connected, a single standardized balun design achieves performance optimization for multiple field strengths, eliminating the need to manufacture different sized baluns for different MRI system configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves adaptation to different field strengths by changing the electrical parameters of the balun through selective connection of the auxiliary winding, rather than changing the physical size or structure. This allows a single physical design to provide optimized performance across different magnetostatic field intensities by adjusting the effective inductance and impedance parameters.
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 configuration allows for effective impedance matching and balun standardization, enabling the use of 1.5-tesla compatible high-frequency amplification apparatuses in 3.0-tesla MRI systems and vice versa, without the need for additional components, thus reducing costs and component count.
Implementation Method 1
a first planar balun that transforms an unbalanced signal, which is input, into a balanced signal; a second planar balun that transforms the balanced signal, which is output, into an unbalanced signal
Data Source
AI summary
A high-frequency amplifier apparatus according to an embodiment amplifies high-frequency signals; and includes a balun, amplification circuitry, and matching circuitry. The balun transforms unbalanced signals, which are input, into balanced signals. The amplification circuitry amplifies the balanced signals output from the balun. The matching circuitry is disposed in between the balun and the amplification circuitry, and performs impedance matching. The balun includes an auxiliary winding that is connected to a port of the balun.