Helium-free MRI
Welcome to the era of helium-free MRI operations
We address the helium scarcity via BlueSeal technology
Demonstrated result of helium-free 1.5T MRI operations
+1000
BlueSeal MRI systems installed worldwide
~1.9m
liters of liquid helium saved2
0.5%
of today’s standard helium amount is used for efficient MR operations3
900 kg
lighter than conventional magnet3
Benefits of BlueSeal Technology
Reduce
consumption of helium
Philips BlueSeal magnet uses a highly efficient micro-cooling technology that requires only a negligible amount of liquid helium for cooling. This tiny amount of liquid helium is sealed in the magnet. No liquid helium can escape during the magnet’s lifetime4. This reduces potential long interruptions to MR services due to helium-related issues and eliminates helium refill costs.
Manage
risk and avoid downtime
Via an AI-based functionality called EasySwitch, BlueSeal MRI gives you the power to discharge and re-energize the magnet behind your MR console without a helium loss. This means small incidents can be resolved in just a few hours without causing significant operational disruptions and massive revenue loss.
Improve
image quality & speed
The BlueSeal MRI delivers excellent clinical performance with a leading B0-stability over time. The synergy between the BlueSeal MRI and the AI-driven SmartSpeed application can push the limits of image quality even further. This combination delivers all you need from an MR system.
Unlock
new siting options
On a conventional magnet with large amounts of liquid helium, long vent pipes must be installed to meet safety requirements and to direct helium to an outside vent in case of a magnet quench. Philips BlueSeal magnet does not need a vent pipe and it is 900kg lighter3. This unlocks new MR installation opportunities in different facilities such as commercial or mixed-use buildings, elevated floors, densely populated urban hospitals and indoor sites with construction limitations. BlueSeal magnet is also the logical choice for remote areas, islands and places where it is difficult to supply helium.
The world's first helium-free MRI mobile solution
We are taking BlueSeal 1.5T systems on the road with the introduction of our BlueSeal Mobile 1.5T5 systems portfolio. Delivering patient-centric MRI services where and when needed in a more sustainable way with helium-free operations.
BlueSeal 1.5T MRI portfolio
Ingenia Ambition 1.5T X
Excel in your daily MR-services, helium-free
Ingenia Ambition 1.5T S
Excel in your daily MR-services, helium-free
MR 5300
Unleash the power of the MR 5300
BlueSeal 1.5T MRI portfolio
Ingenia Ambition 1.5T
Excel in your daily MR-services, helium-free
Ingenia Ambition 1.5T
Excel in your daily MR-services, helium-free
MR 5300
Unleash the power of the MR 5300
Hear from your peers
"We wanted to set up the MRI in a basement in Tokyo. Therefore, not having a quench pipe was crucial for us. That is why we choose a BlueSeal system."
Hiroyuki SUGAYA, MD
President, Tokyo Sports & Orthopedic Clinic, Tokyo, Japan
"BlueSeal system is much lighter and suitable for our 5th-floor radiology department. It also aligns perfectly with our green vision."
Dr. Eduardo Onodera
Head of Radiology Department, Pacifica Salud Costa del Este, Panama
"We’ve been pleasantly surprised, it’s next-generation MR technology."
Dr. Constantino Peña
Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, USA
"We are able to have excellent image quality while also respecting natural resources."
Dr. Stéphane Gellée
Saint-Augustin Clinic in Bordeaux, France
"This machine will save us money and help us be more environmentally friendly."
Dr. Marίa del Mar Travieso
Hospitales San Roque, Spain
"No helium can escape from the magnet, which represents a nice cost saving."
Dr. Carl-Martin Junge
Altona Children’s Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
"Sustainability is an important argument. The helium content is significantly lower than with other MR systems"
Dr. Tobias Schröter
MRT Praxis Potsdam, Germany
"The level of details is great. You can see all the pulmonary veins, even second and third level branches"
Dr. Martin Descalzo
MR Coordinator, Imaging Unit of Hospital Sagrat Cor & Hospital Sant Pau, Barcelona
"Our patients are very amazed at the pleasant scanning experience MR 5300 can offer. If our patients are happy, we are happy as well."
Dayan Jackson Dudleythurai
MR Technologist, Aleris-Hamlet Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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2023 MedTech Breakthrough award
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.
Frequently asked questions
- If no vent pipe is needed, how do you provide pressure control?
-
In case of spontaneous loss of field, the temperature of the superconducting coils increases and the pressure in the cooling system increases to a medium pressure that is fully contained. This pressure is four times lower than the pressure that was used when filled during manufacturing (at room temperature). The magnet is fully designed to accommodate this and meets the ASME and PED standards related to pressurized vessels.
- Beyond siting and construction, how can Philips BlueSeal help facilitate on-site safety procedures?
-
IEC International standard 60601-2-33 describes the particular requirements for the safety of magnetic resonance equipment for medical diagnosis. Since the BlueSeal magnet has a fractional amount of helium contained in a closed cooling system, no helium can escape during a loss of field. As a result, the following IEC requirements do not apply, which helps to simply on-site safety procedures:
- NO provisions for supply of liquid cryogen. e.g procedures to be performed after gas release or precautions against lack of oxygen.
- NO safety provisions in the event of a quench. e.g emergency plan in the event of a quench
- How are the clinical properties affected with this new technology based on a fractional amount of Helium?
-
The resulting magnet performance is amongst the best in the industry, with excellent homogeneity (≤ 0.9 ppm, at 45 cm DSV), high gradients linearity (amplitude 45 mT/m, slew rate 200 T/m/s) and a superb field-of-view of 55 cm.
- In case of patient emergency, how long does it take to ramp the magnet down? How different is it from a controlled ramp-down?
-
In case of a patient emergency, the system will ramp-down immediately after pushing the Emergency Ramp Down Unit button (ERDU). It will take < 3 days to be back in operation. In case an object is stuck in the bore (injector, cleaning tool, etc.), it will take about 1 hour to de-energize the magnet from the service environment on the operator console and <24 hours to be back in operation5. In both cases, all helium moves to gas state and remains contained in the fully sealed cooling system.
Documentation
- Brochures
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- Videos
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*Helium-free operations. 7 liters of helium is permanently enclosed in the cryogenic circuit. 1 January 2022 onwards https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/helium-shortage-4-0-what-caused-it-andwhen-will-it-end/29255/ 2 The amount of liquid helium saved is a calculation compared to a classic magnet with 1500 liters of helium 3 Compared to the Ingenia 1.5T zero boil-off magnet 4 Even in the rare case of magnet becoming unsealed, the negligible amount of helium escaping would not materially affect the oxygen level within the room 5 BlueSeal Mobile is not yet CE market and not yet available for sale outside of the USA 6 JR Campbell & Associates; USGS
