Philips extends leadership in virtually helium-free MRI with more than 1,000 systems installed, expanding patient access worldwide
28 Febrero 2024 - 3:00AM
Philips extends leadership in virtually helium-free MRI with more
than 1,000 systems installed, expanding patient access worldwide
February 28, 2024
At #ECR2024, company also debuting Europe’s first mobile
virtually helium-free MRI system
Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Vienna, Austria
– Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in
health technology, today announced a significant milestone as it
expands access to virtually helium-free [1] MRI to more patients in
more places, with more than 1,000 systems now installed worldwide.
As healthcare providers strive to deliver high-quality care to
patients, at #ECR2024 Philips is partnering with its customers to
improve productivity and access to more sustainable healthcare.
Philips BlueSeal magnet is the industry's first 1.5T fully
sealed magnet and requires only 0.5% of the helium of a
conventional Philips MR system. By dramatically easing installation
requirements and addressing helium scarcity, the Philips BlueSeal
1.5T magnet is helping more patients in diverse locations benefit
from a technology that plays an essential role in diagnosing many
of the world’s most prevalent diseases.
Philips BlueSeal technology is expanding the reach of MRI to
places where it was previously too difficult to install and
maintain, including remote and isolated locations, and those prone
to tropical storms, earthquakes, and other geographical obstacles.
With a magnet that’s 900kg lighter than a traditional system [2]
and doesn’t require a quench pipe – required for traditional MR
systems to safely expel their large volume of helium out of a
building quickly in case of an emergency – Philips MR systems
equipped with BlueSeal magnets can be installed in places that were
previously unthinkable.
“We wanted to set up the MRI in the basement of a building in
the middle of the city center to provide better access to care for
our patients. Not having a quench pipe to expel helium out of the
building in the event of an emergency was very important to us due
to the location of the MRI system,” said Hiroyuki SUGAYA, M.D.,
President, Tokyo Sports & Orthopedic Clinic, Tokyo, Japan. “We
also needed an MRI system that would be a good financial
investment, significantly reducing construction costs and reducing
the need to refill helium.”
First installed in 2018, Philips’ BlueSeal magnet is a proven
and reliable technology that is rapidly reshaping patient access to
MRI worldwide. Patients on remote island areas in Indonesia and
Thailand, as well those in areas at risk of earthquakes and
volcanoes in Iceland and Japan, are already benefiting from the
technology.
Philips is now bringing its innovation in virtually helium-free
MRI to a mobile truck, with the first BlueSeal MR mobile
unit [3] developed in Europe for Denmark-based Agito Medical
Imaging making its debut at #ECR2024. MR systems equipped with
Philips’ BlueSeal magnet technology have saved more than 1.9
million liters of helium since 2018 [4].
“The rapid global adoption of our virtually helium-free MR
technology is a strong example of how we are improving the lives of
patients, expanding access to cutting-edge imaging technology,”
said Ruud Zwerink, Business Leader of MR at Philips. “With over
1,000 systems installed globally, our proven technology is bringing
MRI closer to patients wherever it’s needed, as well as providing
an answer to growing concerns of helium supply chain
disruptions.”
[1] Systems contain 7 liters of helium, fully sealed, no helium
can leave the system.[2] Compared to Philips earlier (non-BlueSeal)
Ingenia 1.5T ZBO magnet.[3] BlueSeal mobile 1.5T is considered a
work in progress and is not CE marked and not available for sale.
[4] The amount of liquid helium saved is calculated compared
to a classic magnet with 1,500 liters of helium.
For further information, please contact:
Kathy O’ReillyPhilips Global External RelationsTel.: +1
978-221-8919E-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
69,700 employees with sales and services in more than 100
countries. News about Philips can be found at
www.philips.com/newscenter.
- The Philips BlueSeal MR mobile truck interior
- Interior view of Philips BlueSeal MR mobile truck
- The Philips BlueSeal MR mobile truck in transit
Koninklijke Philips NV (EU:PHIA)
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Koninklijke Philips NV (EU:PHIA)
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