May 30, 2024
First to provide helium-free operations in 2018, Philips marks milestone during
installation in Puerto Rico
Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Bayamón, Puerto Rico - Royal Philips
(http://www.philips.com/newscenter) (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in
health technology, and world leader in proven helium-free (1) MRI operations,
today announced the 1,111th installation of its revolutionary BlueSeal 1.5T
magnet, which took place in Puerto Rico's Vida Imaging & Breast Center (Bayamón,
Puerto Rico). Beyond its economic and sustainability benefits (2), helium-free
MRI operations also increase resilience in the face of the tropical storms that
hit Puerto Rico every year delivering quality care to patients who may otherwise
not have access to advanced MRI scanning.
"The installation of our Philips MR 5300 scanner, with a 70cm bore and equipped
with the 1,111th BlueSeal magnet at Vida Imaging & Breast Center in Puerto Rico
is a testament to the global adoption of our innovative technology. Since 2018,
Philips has been the first to provide helium-free MR operations worldwide,
improving access to better care for more patients, and we will continue to drive
innovation in this space," said Ruud Zwerink, Business Leader of MR at Philips.
"BlueSeal magnet technology has proven to be the system of choice for improved
diagnostic capabilities, while providing an answer to growing concerns about
helium supply chain disruptions
(https://www.linkedin.com/posts/atulguptamd_helium-getintheknow-ecr2024-
activity-7163872075588292609-NFJN?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop),
saving approximately 1.9 million liters of liquid helium to date."
A BlueSeal magnet's ability to be shut down and re-energized in a controlled
way, without the loss of its liquid helium coolant, means it can be up and
running precisely when it is needed to treat patients. The Vida Imaging & Breast
Center, which provides a wide range of medical imaging services, is a vital
community asset that helps patients on the remote island of Puerto Rico receive
high-quality healthcare.
"Puerto Rico has tropical storms every year. Philips BlueSeal magnet technology
allows us to de-energize our MRI system to prepare the MRI department for this
situation and restore operations quickly once it is safe, all from the MRI
console," said Dr. Mayra Maldonado, Owner/CEO at the Vida Imaging & Breast
Center.
In the aftermath of a hurricane or other natural disaster, transport systems are
disrupted, and obtaining helium, especially when transporting to remote
locations, could take weeks. A conventional MRI scanner requires up to 1700
liters of liquid helium, much of which can be lost if the magnet has to be
periodically shut down. A Philips BlueSeal magnet only requires a pre-load of 7
liters during manufacturing and loses none of it, even during a so-called magnet
quench - a sudden loss of superconductivity in the magnet coil which rapidly
boils the liquid helium. Philips' AI-enabled (3) EasySwitch technology always
ensures orderly shutdown and re-energizing of the magnet once the danger has
passed.
With a magnet that is 900kg lighter than a traditional system (4), Philips MR
systems equipped with BlueSeal magnets can also be installed in places that were
previously unthinkable like elevated floors or indoor sites with construction
limitations. This technology is even available in mobile units
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdj1CaXzKKg) (5) that have the potential to
expand quality access to MRI exams for patients in a more sustainable (2) way.
(1) Systems contain 7 liters of helium, fully sealed, no helium can leave the
system.
(2) Compared to the Ingenia 1.5T ZBO magnet.
(3) According to the definition of the EU High-Level Expert Group on Artificial
Intelligence.
(4) Compared to Philips earlier (non-BlueSeal) Ingenia 1.5T ZBO magnet.
(5) BlueSeal MR mobile unit 1.5T is considered a work in progress. It is not CE
marked and not available for sale outside of the U.S.
For further information, please contact:
Kathy O'Reilly
Philips Global External Relations
Tel.: +1 978 221 8919
E-mail: kathy.oreilly@philips.com (mailto: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 69,100 employees with sales and services in more than 100
countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter
(http://www.philips.com/newscenter).
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