What You Should Know:
- Philips, a global leader in health technology, today showcases the world’s first mobile MRI system with helium-free operations at #RSNA23.
- BlueSeal MR Mobile, the industry’s first and only 1.5T fully sealed magnet, delivers patient-centric MRI services where and whenever needed. Unlike other mobile MRI scanners, the BlueSeal MR Mobile is more agile and lightweight so it can be located in more convenient places for patients, like near a hospital’s main entrance.
Expanding the Horizons of Sustainable, Cost-Efficient, and Accessible MRI Exams
The inaugural BlueSeal MR Mobile unit, developed for Akumin, a provider of outpatient radiology and oncology solutions, is set to make its debut at #RSNA23. With over 600 systems installed worldwide, these MRI scanners feature Philips’ BlueSeal magnet technology, which has effectively conserved more than 1.5 million liters of helium since 2018. Bringing this groundbreaking technology into a mobile unit allows Philips to extend access to high-quality MRI exams for a greater number of patients and in more locations, all while operating in a sustainable, helium-free manner.
In contrast to traditional MRI magnets that typically require approximately 1,500 liters of liquid helium, a Philips BlueSeal magnet only needs to be pre-loaded with 7 liters. This significant reduction offers advantages in terms of uptime and cost efficiency. Additionally, the BlueSeal MR Mobile unit is capable of connecting to the Philips Radiology Operations Command Center (ROCC), a multi-vendor, multi-modality, virtual imaging solution. This secure connection enables real-time communication between technologists and remote imaging experts using audio, video, and peer-to-peer text chat capabilities.
“Philips is partnering with healthcare systems to help them tackle resource constraints and continued increases in patient volumes, and having access to mobile MRI scanners is a real game-changer for remote and rural communities around the world. By introducing our breakthrough technology into the mobile MR market, we are significantly reducing the operational and sustainability issues associated with conventional scanners and helping healthcare providers to deliver fast, patient-friendly quality of care,” said Ruud Zwerink, General Manager Magnetic Resonance at Philips.
