Siemens Healthineers presents MAGNETOM Flow1, its first 1.5 T (tesla) platform for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a closed helium circuit and no quench pipe. The amount of liquid helium required for cooling has been reduced to 0.7 litres from as much as 1,500 litres thanks to the DryCool technology, saving both costs and resources. The quench pipe was previously needed to safely allow cold helium to escape from the building directly into the atmosphere in the event of an emergency shutdown. The new system, with a bore size of 60 cm, covers the entire clinical range of applications for MRI. Comprehensive use of image reconstruction based on artificial intelligence enables shorter measurement times with improved image quality. MAGNETOM Flow’s high degree of automation simplifies the complex MRI workflow to ensure the highest quality of user experience and increases efficiency.
MAGNETOM Flow is the second virtually helium-free2 MRI platform from Siemens Healthineers with DryCool technology. The company is dedicated to enabling sustainability in the healthcare sector in the coming years with this and other technologies.
“The world's population is growing and with it the need for MRI exams is increasing. However, the simultaneous rise in cost pressure and lack of personnel make it difficult to operate MRI economically,” states Alistair Piggot, Magnetic Resonance Business Manager at Siemens Healthineers Great Britain & Ireland. “Systems with productivity and sustainability at their core are more important now than ever. The MAGNETOM Flow, equipped with a high degree of automation, is the latest example of our commitment to leveraging AI to ease clinical workflows while simultaneously reinforcing our commitment to sustainability with DryCool technology.”
In addition to using significantly fewer natural resources such as helium, MAGNETOM Flow considerably reduces energy consumption. Equipped with improved Eco Gradient Mode, the system automatically switches off energy-intensive components when they are not needed. With the introduction of Eco Power Mode in combination with virtually helium-free technology, it is possible to save up to a further 30 per cent3 in cooling capacity overnight. This makes MAGNETOM Flow one of the most sustainable MRI platforms from Siemens Healthineers.
Compared to many other 1.5T scanners, MAGNETOM Flow reduces installation requirements and costs thanks to its compact size of less than two metres in height, 24 square metres in footprint and the lack of a quench pipe.
In clinical practice, MAGNETOM Flow can significantly reduce patient slot times and improve the patient experience thanks to its intuitive and highly automated design. The entire operation can now be carried out next to the patient – from registration to positioning to starting the examination. This saves time and can give patients peace of mind. In addition, the coils, which flexibly adapt to the body like a blanket, feature novel sensors to enable automatic position detection in the exam room.
To keep examination times short and improve image quality, the system is equipped with extensive AI-supported image reconstruction. This is available for more examinations than before with MAGNETOM Flow. Measurement times can be reduced by up to 50 per cent, while image quality is doubled.3 In combination with simplified workflows, overall patient throughput can be increased significantly.
