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MAGNETOM Free.Max significantly cuts installation costs

First entry of MAGNETOM Free.Max through normal hospital doors and hallways at University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, cuts costs by 34%1

In January 2021, it finally happened: University Hospital Basel received its first MAGNETOM Free.Max MRI scanner. From the very beginning of the planning phase, everyone involved realized that everything would be different this time. First, MAGNETOM Free.Max requires no quench pipe – reducing the conversion costs immensely. Second, its floor load of less than 3.2 metric tons translates into a wider range of possible locations within the building, as well as easier transportation. And because it is less than 2 meters high and has a small footprint, MAGNETOM Free.Max fits  through normal hospital doors. As a result, many onsite preparations were no longer needed. Now see for yourself what a difference the radically simplified infrastructure of MAGNETOM Free.Max makes.

18. 6. 2021

Installation of MAGNETOM Free.Max takes 50% fewer steps compared with a conventional MRI system

MAGNETOM Free.Max and Conventional MRI Scanner

Left: Conventional MRI | Right: MAGNETOM Free.Max

Prepare scanner room

Step 1 for conventional MRI scanner

Preparations include construction-site installations, electrical installations, ventilation, and cooling.

Step 1 for MAGNETOM Free.Max

Preparations include construction-site installations, electrical installations, ventilation, and cooling. With its smaller footprint and no need for a quench pipe, MAGNETOM Free.Max fits into rooms that were previously too small for an MRI scanner.

Plan and install quench pipe through the building

Step 2 for conventional MRI scanner

Depending on the building and the final location of the MRI scanner within the building, planning and installing the quench pipe can be complex.

Step not needed for MAGNETOM Free.Max

Define entry route to the MR room

Step 3 for conventional MRI scanner

Due to the size and weight of a conventional MRI scanner, the facade has to be opened up to get the magnet into the building, and the floor has to be strong enough to carry its weight. In some cases, the floors even need to be supported from underneath.

Step 2 for MAGNETOM Free.Max

Due to its small size and weight, MAGNETOM Free.Max fits through normal hospital doors. Only the route to its location within the building has to be planned.

Room Plans

Left: Conventional MRI | Right: MAGNETOM Free.Max

Open facade and install temporary facade if needed

Step 4 for conventional MRI scanner

A conventional MRI scanner doesn’t fit through normal doors. The facade has to be opened up so that the scanner can be brought into the building. Depending on when the magnet arrives, a temporary facade may be needed.

Step not needed for MAGNETOM Free.Max

Save work step

Left: Conventional MRI | Right: MAGNETOM Free.Max

Close access road and assemble crane

Step 5 for conventional MRI scanner

Transportation by crane can result in major logistical efforts and lead to significant temporary restrictions.

Step not needed for MAGNETOM Free.Max

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Save work step Crane

Left: Conventional MRI | Right: MAGNETOM Free.Max

Save work step Crane
save work step logistical effort
Save work step restriction
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Open temporary facade

Step 6 for conventional MRI scanner

To bring the MRI scanner into the building, the temporary facade has to be opened up.

Step not needed for MAGNETOM Free.Max

Unload MRI scanner

Step 7 for conventional MRI scanner

Unloading a conventional MRI scanner requires a big crane positioned close to the open facade.

Step 3 for MAGNETOM Free.Max

The small crane from the truck is sufficient to unload MAGNETOM Free.Max.
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Fusion Unload

Left: Conventional MRI | Right: MAGNETOM Free.Max

Fusion Unload
Unload
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Bring MRI scanner into the building

Step 8 for conventional MRI scanner

A conventional MRI scanner has to be lifted into the building through the open facade using the big crane.

Step 4 for MAGNETOM Free.Max

MAGNETOM Free.Max can be wheeled into the building through the front door.
Bring into building

Left: Conventional MRI | Right: MAGNETOM Free.Max

Move MRI scanner through the building

Step 9 for conventional MRI scanner

When the magnet is moved through the building to its final location, the floor has to be protected with heavy steel plates.

Step 5 for MAGNETOM Free.Max

When the magnet is moved through the building to its final location, the floor only needs protection from lightweight aluminum plates.
Move through building

Left: Conventional MRI | Right: MAGNETOM Free.Max

Close facade

Step 10 for conventional MRI scanner

The facade of the building can be closed again.

Step not needed for MAGNETOM Free.Max

Close HF cabin

Step 11 for conventional MRI scanner

Once the MRI scanner is in its designated room, the HF cabin can be closed, and final construction work can be finished.

Step 6 for MAGNETOM Free.Max

Once MAGNETOM Free.Max is in its designated room, the HF cabin can be closed, and final construction work can be finished.
CLose HF Cabin

Left: Conventional MRI | Right: MAGNETOM Free.Max

"It’s more convenient, it’s less expensive and it’s faster. So from a siting perspective

there are only benefits, not a single disadvantage. This is great.2"

<p>Prof. Elmar M. Merkle, MD</p>

Prof. Elmar M. Merkle, MD

Chief Physician, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

University of Basel, Switzerland 

More pictures from behind the scenes

The delivery and installation of MAGNETOM Free.Max at University Hospital Basel in Basel, Switzerland, was the first one of its kind: There was no need for major construction work beforehand, no big crane required, and no need to open the facade. Here you can view more behind-the-scenes images from the big day.
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Scanner transport

Left: Conventional MRI | Right: MAGNETOM Free.Max

Scanner transport
More info Crane
Mor information crane delivery
More infoarmation building
More information setup
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1

Compared with the implementation of MAGNETOM Prisma at University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. The result was achieved in the customer’s unique

setting. Since there is no “typical” hospital and many variables exist (e.g., hospital size, case mix, level of IT adoption) there can be no guarantee that other

customers will achieve the same results.

2

The statements by Siemens Healthineers’ customers described herein are based on results that were achieved in the customer’s unique setting. Since there is no

“typical” hospital and many variables exist (e.g., hospital size, case mix, level of IT adoption) there can be no guarantee that other customers will achieve the same

results. This statement is from a person, who or whose institution is engaged in a collaboration with Siemens.