Philips, a global leader in health technology and MRI expert, has teamed with Lamboo Medical to create the first mobile virtually helium-free MRI system in the UK.
Lamboo Medical is a global company that specialises in the engineering and manufacturing of mobile and modular healthcare solutions.
Joost Lamboo, CEO at Lamboo Medical, said: “Enabling sustainable healthcare is critical for the future and so it’s with pride that Lamboo Medical is a partner today in promoting the new mobile BlueSeal system from Philips.”
A mobile truck provided by Lamboo Medical, now houses a Philips MR 5300 scanner equipped with a revolutionary Philips BlueSeal magnet.
Philips has showcased the first mobile virtually helium-free MRI system in the UK
Philips BlueSeal magnet is the global industry's first 1.5T fully sealed magnet, which requires only 0.5% of the helium of a conventional Philips MR system.
This new eco-friendly technology significantly reduces the consumption of helium, which is in scarce supply globally.
Since 2018, more than 1.9m litres of helium has been saved by MR systems equipped with Philips’ BlueSeal magnet technology.
Further, equipping a mobile truck with an MR 5300 scanner and BlueSeal magnet offers healthcare providers the potential to achieve greater efficiencies when undertaking patient scans by making them more easily available for patients in the community rather than at hospital sites.
In turn, this will improve clinical workflow and reduce health costs in the face of staff shortages.
Inside the BlueSeal truck
Mark Leftwich, Managing Director at Philips UK and Ireland, said: “Debuting our mobile BlueSeal technology in the UK is a significant step forward for patient care in Imaging. Housed in a fully equipped mobile truck and requiring only a fraction of the helium used in a traditional MRI system, this innovation will bring accessible and convenient care to more patients whilst expanding sustainable healthcare and reducing the healthcare industry’s impact on the planet.”
Currently, there are almost 100 NHS and healthcare provider sites in the UK with a Philips BlueSeal 1.5T magnet, out of more than 1,100 sites worldwide.
Since 2018, more than 1.9m litres of helium has been saved by MR systems equipped with Philips’ BlueSeal magnet technology
Introduced in 2018, Philips’ BlueSeal technology is expanding the reach globally of MRI to places where it was previously too difficult to install and maintain, including remote and isolated locations.
The BlueSeal Magnet is 900 kg lighter than a traditional system and does not require a quench pipe, which is needed for traditional MR systems.
Quench pipes are used to safely expel large volumes of helium out of a building quickly in case of an emergency.
Inside the BlueSeal truck
Ruud Zwerink, MR Business Leader at Philips UK and Ireland, said: “Mobilising our BlueSeal technology is a significant development for imaging in the UK that will pave the way for best in class diagnosis, assessment and treatment, while supporting our health providers to lower their running costs, due to the lighter weight of the system and reduced helium, and progress on net zero goals”.
Driving sustainable healthcare through its operations, Philips is committed to improving people's health and healthcare outcomes, as well as making care more accessible, inclusive and connected.
Philips recently launched a global sustainability campaign “Care means the world”, based on the premise that continuing to care for patients in the best way possible, means the planet needs to be taken care of with the same attention and urgency, now and in the long term.
Photo credit: Photos of inside the Philips MRI truck were sent to Building Better Healthcare by Philips