Philips Debuts World’s First Mobile MRI System With Helium-Free Operations

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 27 Nov 2023

Image: The first BlueSeal MR Mobile unit is making its debut on the show floor at RSNA 2023 (Photo courtesy of Philips)

Royal Philips (Amsterdam‎, Noord-Holland) is showcasing the world’s first mobile MRI system with helium-free operations at RSNA 2023. 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.

The first BlueSeal MR Mobile unit is making its debut on the show floor at RSNA 2023. With more than 600 systems installed globally, the MRI scanners are equipped with Philips’ BlueSeal magnet technology that saved more than 1.5 million liters of helium since 2018. The extension of this breakthrough technology in a mobile unit means Philips will be able to expand quality access to MRI exams for more patients in more places, in a more sustainable way with helium-free operations. Unlike conventional MRI magnets, which typically require around 1,500 liters of liquid helium, a Philips BlueSeal magnet only needs to be pre-loaded with 7 liters, providing a major advantage in terms of up-time and costs. BlueSeal MR Mobile can also connect to Philips Radiology Operations Command Center (ROCC) a multi-vendor, multi-modality, virtual imaging solution, which securely connects technologists with remote imaging experts in real-time using audio, video, and peer-to-peer text chat capabilities.

At RSNA 2023, Philips is announcing new innovations including next-generation ultrasound systems that increase diagnostic confidence and workflow efficiency, and new AI-enabled cloud solutions that enhance radiology efficiency and clinical confidence. The company is also launching its new ‘care means the world’ campaign at the event, highlighting that improving human health and environmental health go hand in hand. The pressures on healthcare staffing are particularly acute for sonographers, where it’s essential that any new capabilities are integrated in a way that’s intuitive so users can quickly embed them into routine care. Philips’ new ultrasound systems EPIQ Elite 10.0 and Philips Affiniti do exactly that, with the next generation of clinical performance that simplifies workflows to meet the challenges of today’s most demanding practices. The systems offer a single-user interface combined with shared transducers and automated tools to help reduce complexity for a more efficient and enhanced user experience.

Philips is also spotlighting its newest innovations in digital X-ray including Philips Radiography 7000 M, a premium mobile radiography solution designed to offer enhanced care and higher operational efficiency for faster and more efficient patient care, and Philips Radiography 7300 C premium digital radiography system designed to deliver high efficiency and clinical versatility. Also being featured is the next-generation Image Guided Therapy System – Azurion 7 B20/15 biplane configuration, providing superb positioning capability for easier patient access during minimally invasive procedures, faster system movement, and full table side control of all components.

RSNA attendees can also experience Philips HealthSuite Imaging, a cloud-based next-generation of Philips Vue PACS that enables radiologists and clinicians to adopt new capabilities faster, increase operational efficiency, and improve patient care. HealthSuite Imaging on Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers new capabilities such as high-speed remote access for diagnostic reading, integrated reporting, and AI-enabled workflow orchestration, all delivered securely via the cloud to ease IT management burden. At RSNA 2023, the company is unveiling the Philips AI Manager, an end-to-end AI enablement solution that integrates with a customer's IT infrastructure, allowing radiologists to leverage more than 100 AI applications for a more comprehensive assessment and deeper clinical insights in the radiology workflow.

“Philips is teaming up with healthcare providers to optimize workflows so they can spend more time focusing on patients,” said Bert van Meurs, Chief Business Leader of Precision Diagnosis and Image Guided Therapy at Philips. “The new innovations we’re unveiling here at RSNA provide a fully integrated AI-enabled diagnostic approach to help improve patient outcomes, optimize workflows and maximize lifetime value for our customers.”

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