Philips celebrates 1.9m liters of helium saved as it marks 1,111 helium-free MRI operations installs, expanding care to more patients in more locations

Rhea-AI Summary

Philips announced its 1,111th installation of the BlueSeal 1.5T magnet, marking a milestone in helium-free MRI operations. This installation took place at the Vida Imaging & Breast Center in Puerto Rico. Since 2018, Philips has led the market in helium-free MRIs, saving approximately 1.9 million liters of liquid helium. The BlueSeal magnet technology allows for controlled shutdowns and re-energizing, important for areas prone to natural disasters like Puerto Rico. This system only requires 7 liters of helium during manufacturing, unlike traditional MRIs that need up to 1700 liters. The technology is AI-enabled and lighter by 900kg compared to conventional systems, making it installable in various challenging locations including mobile units.

Positive

• 1,111th BlueSeal 1.5T magnet installation, demonstrating widespread adoption.
• Helium-free operations since 2018, saving 1.9 million liters of helium.
• BlueSeal technology allows for controlled shutdowns and re-energizing, beneficial for disaster-prone areas.
• Only 7 liters of helium required during manufacturing, compared to up to 1700 liters for conventional systems.
• 900kg lighter than traditional systems, enabling installations in hard-to-reach locations.
• AI-enabled technology ensures operational efficiency and resilience.

Negative

• Potential limitations in availability outside of the U.S. as the BlueSeal MR mobile unit 1.5T is considered a work in progress and not CE marked.
• High dependency on AI-enabled technology which may face technical challenges.

May 30, 2024

First to provide helium-free operations in 2018, Philips marks milestone during installation in Puerto Rico

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Bayamón, Puerto Rico – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and world leader in proven helium-free [1] MRI operations, today announced the 1,111th installation of its revolutionary BlueSeal 1.5T magnet, which took place in Puerto Rico’s Vida Imaging & Breast Center (Bayamón, Puerto Rico). Beyond its economic and sustainability benefits [2], helium-free MRI operations also increase resilience in the face of the tropical storms that hit Puerto Rico every year delivering quality care to patients who may otherwise not have access to advanced MRI scanning.

“The installation of our Philips MR 5300 scanner, with a 70cm bore and equipped with the 1,111th BlueSeal magnet at Vida Imaging & Breast Center in Puerto Rico is a testament to the global adoption of our innovative technology. Since 2018, Philips has been the first to provide helium-free MR operations worldwide, improving access to better care for more patients, and we will continue to drive innovation in this space,” said Ruud Zwerink, Business Leader of MR at Philips. “BlueSeal magnet technology has proven to be the system of choice for improved diagnostic capabilities, while providing an answer to growing concerns about helium supply chain disruptions, saving approximately 1.9 million liters of liquid helium to date.”

A BlueSeal magnet’s ability to be shut down and re-energized in a controlled way, without the loss of its liquid helium coolant, means it can be up and running precisely when it is needed to treat patients. The Vida Imaging & Breast Center, which provides a wide range of medical imaging services, is a vital community asset that helps patients on the remote island of Puerto Rico receive high-quality healthcare.

“Puerto Rico has tropical storms every year. Philips BlueSeal magnet technology allows us to de-energize our MRI system to prepare the MRI department for this situation and restore operations quickly once it is safe, all from the MRI console,” said Dr. Mayra Maldonado, Owner/CEO at the Vida Imaging & Breast Center.

In the aftermath of a hurricane or other natural disaster, transport systems are disrupted, and obtaining helium, especially when transporting to remote locations, could take weeks. A conventional MRI scanner requires up to 1700 liters of liquid helium, much of which can be lost if the magnet has to be periodically shut down. A Philips BlueSeal magnet only requires a pre-load of 7 liters during manufacturing and loses none of it, even during a so-called magnet quench – a sudden loss of superconductivity in the magnet coil which rapidly boils the liquid helium. Philips’ AI-enabled [3] EasySwitch technology always ensures orderly shutdown and re-energizing of the magnet once the danger has passed.

With a magnet that is 900kg lighter than a traditional system [4], Philips MR systems equipped with BlueSeal magnets can also be installed in places that were previously unthinkable like elevated floors or indoor sites with construction limitations. This technology is even available in mobile units [5] that have the potential to expand quality access to MRI exams for patients in a more sustainable [2] way.

[1] Systems contain 7 liters of helium, fully sealed, no helium can leave the system.
[2] Compared to the Ingenia 1.5T ZBO magnet.
[3] According to the definition of the EU High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence.
[4] Compared to Philips earlier (non-BlueSeal) Ingenia 1.5T ZBO magnet.
[5] BlueSeal MR mobile unit 1.5T is considered a work in progress. It is not CE marked and not available for sale outside of the U.S.

For further information, please contact:


Kathy O’Reilly
Philips Global External Relations
Tel.: +1 978 221 8919
E-mail: kathy.oreilly@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips’ patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2023 sales of EUR 18.2 billion and employs approximately 69,100 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Attachments

• Philips MR 5300 BlueSeal installation at Vida Imaging & Breast Center, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
• Exterior picture of Vida Imaging & Breast Center, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
• A clinician using a Philips MR 5300

FAQ

What milestone did Philips recently achieve with its BlueSeal MRI technology?

Philips achieved the milestone of 1,111 installations of its BlueSeal 1.5T magnet, marking significant adoption of helium-free MRI operations.

How much helium has Philips saved with its BlueSeal MRI technology?

Philips has saved approximately 1.9 million liters of liquid helium with its BlueSeal MRI technology.

Where was the 1,111th BlueSeal MRI installation completed?

The 1,111th BlueSeal MRI installation was completed at the Vida Imaging & Breast Center in Puerto Rico.

What are the benefits of Philips' BlueSeal MRI technology in disaster-prone areas?

Philips' BlueSeal MRI technology allows for controlled shutdowns and re-energizing, making it resilient in areas prone to natural disasters like Puerto Rico.

How much helium does a BlueSeal MRI system require compared to conventional systems?

A BlueSeal MRI system requires only 7 liters of helium during manufacturing, unlike conventional systems that need up to 1700 liters.

What are the installation advantages of Philips' BlueSeal MRI systems?

Philips' BlueSeal MRI systems are 900kg lighter than traditional systems, allowing for installations in challenging locations including mobile units.

What is a potential limitation of the BlueSeal MR mobile unit 1.5T?

The BlueSeal MR mobile unit 1.5T is considered a work in progress and is not CE marked, limiting its availability outside of the U.S.