RF birdcage coil with reduced acoustic noise

An RF birdcage coil for use in MRI systems is disclosed. A number of slotted or nonconductive channels are provided in the conductive material of the RF coil to minimize the size of the conductive paths available for eddy currents. Furthermore, blocking capacitors are applied between the legs and the end segments of the conductive elements to isolate the end segments from the legs at low frequency harmonics, such as those associated with eddy currents, while acting substantially as a short circuit at high operational frequencies. Preferably, the blocking capacitors are constructed by providing the legs of a plurality of I-beams on a first side of a dielectric material, and the end segments on an opposing side. The blocking capacitor results from overlapping the conductive material forming the leg and end segment on opposite sides of the dielectric material.