Philips recognised for helium-free MR operations magnet

Philips’ BlueSeal helium-free MR operations magnet has won the 2023 ‘Best New Technology Solution for Radiology’ award in the 7th annual MedTech Breakthrough Awards program. 

Philips’ BlueSeal Magnet is a 1.5T fully sealed magnet that only requires 0.5% of the helium normally needed over the operational lifetime of industry-standard MR system magnets. This breakthrough design addresses the urgent need to reduce the consumption of helium, a finite resource. It was first revealed to the world as part of the Philips MR – Ingenia Ambition and is now extended with the latest MR 5300 scanner which offers helium free MR operations with no compromise on diagnostic confidence and an improved patient- and staff experience. BlueSeal is one of Philips health technologies and innovations designed to reduce hospitals’ dependency on natural resources and energy consumption and help meet their sustainability goals.

The mission of the MedTech Breakthrough Awards is to honour excellence and recognise the innovation, hard work, and success in a range of health and medical technology categories. This year’s program attracted more than 4,000 nominations from over 17 different countries throughout the world.

James Johnson, managing director, MedTech Breakthrough, said: “Philips’ breakthrough development of its BlueSeal Magnet places it at the forefront of helium-free medical operations, supporting the transition to sustainable, helium-free-for-life operations, as well as simplifying installation and reducing costly disruptions to MR services. Congratulations on this innovation and being our pick for ‘Best New Technology Solution for Radiology’.”

Pre-loaded with 7 litres of helium during manufacture, compared to around 1,500 litres required for a conventional MR magnet, an MR scanner using Philips’ BlueSeal Magnet remains essentially helium-free in operations for its life cycle. For hospitals, it not only reduces operating costs. Its reduced weight (around a metric ton lighter than a conventional magnet) simplifies installation, and the elimination of helium venting, even during a magnet quench, increases patient and staff safety.

Ruud Zwerink, general manager MR at Philips, said: “We see ourselves as a developer of resilient, energy-efficient, sustainable healthcare products and solutions. Our BlueSeal Magnet not only has the potential to steeply reduce the consumption of helium in the medical industry, but also ensures that on-site operators don’t need to worry about helium-related complications and unpredictability.”

Philips’ BlueSeal Magnet can rapidly return to normal operation after an interruption, such as a magnetic object becoming stuck in the bore. It is supported by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm in its control electronics that enables single-click discharge and re-energization of the magnet from behind the MR console.

Philips MR SmartSpeed imaging technology, which boosts speed and image quality and is enabling the MR scanner to use up to 53% less power per patient scan. Philips MR AI Protocol Assistant, Philips VitalEye, Philips SmartExam and Philips MRCAT Brain and Head and Neck software are other examples of AI-driven innovations to further accelerate Radiology workflows and enable MR only simulations.