Philips Unveils Mobile MRI System with Helium-Free Operations for Enhanced Patient-Centric Care at #RSNA23

Philips Unveils Mobile MRI System with Helium-Free Operations for Enhanced Patient-Centric Care at #RSNA23

(IN BRIEF) Royal Philips has introduced the world’s first mobile MRI system with helium-free operations, known as BlueSeal MR Mobile, at #RSNA23, the prominent medical imaging conference. This groundbreaking technology offers flexible and agile MRI services, allowing placement in more convenient locations for patients, such as near hospital entrances. Developed in partnership with Akumin, an outpatient radiology and oncology solutions provider, the system aims to expand access to high-quality MRI exams while reducing operational and sustainability challenges. Unlike conventional MRI magnets that require large quantities of liquid helium, BlueSeal MR Mobile utilizes a significantly smaller amount, enhancing up-time and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the system can connect to the Philips Radiology Operations Command Center (ROCC), enabling real-time communication between technologists and remote imaging experts through audio, video, and text chat capabilities. This innovation addresses resource constraints and increasing patient volumes, particularly benefiting remote and rural communities in need of efficient and patient-friendly care. Philips continues to focus on providing healthcare solutions that prioritize patient outcomes and sustainability.

(PRESS RELEASE) AMSTERDAM, 27-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, showcases the world’s first mobile MRI system with helium-free operations at #RSNA23. BlueSeal MR Mobile [1], 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, developed for outpatient radiology and oncology solutions provider Akumin, will debut on the show floor at #RSNA23. 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.

“Philips is partnering with healthcare systems to help them tackle resource constraints and continued increases in patient volumes, and having access to mobile MRI scanners is a real game-changer for remote and rural communities around the world. By introducing our breakthrough technology into the mobile MR market, we are significantly reducing the operational and sustainability issues associated with conventional scanners and helping healthcare providers to deliver fast, patient-friendly quality of care,” said Ruud Zwerink, General Manager Magnetic Resonance at Philips.

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.

For more information on Philips’ new portfolio of mobile MRI scanners and Philips Radiology Operations Command Center, visit Philips at RSNA 2023 (Booth #6730) and follow @PhilipsLiveFrom for #RSNA23 updates throughout the event.

[1] This product is not yet CE marked, and not yet available for sale in Europe. Available only in the U.S. market.

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 2022 sales of EUR 17.8 billion and employs approximately 70,700 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Media Contact:

Kathy O’Reilly
Philips Global Press Office
Tel.: +1 978-221-8919
kathy.oreilly@philips.com

SOURCE: Philips