From the October 2017 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine

“Supply has eased from the force majeure conditions of several years ago, but everyone knows helium is a finite commodity,” says Jim Spearman, CEO of Consensys Imaging Services. “Prices have settled a bit, but there must be a permanent alternative soon, otherwise supply won’t be able to keep up with demand and that will drive costs sky-high.”

In Spearman’s opinion, remote monitoring is not as crucial as others think.


“Historical data shows that helium leaks, whether detected immediately via remote monitoring or at routine checks (unless there’s a quench), result in roughly the same loss,” he says. “Thus, proper and thorough maintenance, along with strict adherence to environmental specifications, are significantly more critical in sustaining minimal helium boil-off.”

Scott, with Independent Magnet Technology, echoes that sentiment. Although remote monitoring may provide a higher level of convenience, he says having techs record levels once a week, or daily, might do the trick just as well.

“I feel it’s better to have human interaction,” he adds.

The decision on how to monitor helium levels, and other MR vitals, may depend on the resources available to an individual facility. Whatever the particulars of your MR suite, Charlie Lewis, vice president, MRI products and services, BC Technical, has top-level advice to ensure things stay superconductive.

“Keep relationships with multiple providers and pay your bills on time,” he says.

A future less dependent on helium
In recent years, the advances in reduced helium boil-off have been one-upped by a new breed of MR technology that virtually forgoes helium altogether.

At RSNA last year, GE Healthcare unveiled a technology called Freelium, which requires 20 liters of liquid helium to perform scans. When compared to the conventional 2,000 liters used in conventional systems, that’s a drastic reduction in gas dependence.

The company says magnets with Freelium would not require helium refills during transportation or throughout their lifetime. They also would not require the extensive venting infrastructure that normal systems do.

Aspect Imaging has developed a helium-free compact industrial and preclinical MR called the WristView MR System.

“It is the largest bore, permanent MR that we know of and it requires no helium for cooling, no special power supply, or a big shielded room,” Andrew Lonergan, vice president of sales and marketing with Aspect Imaging, told HCB News at RSNA last year.

Another company exploring the frontiers of helium-free MR imaging is Mitsubishi Electric, which has partnered with Kyoto University and Tohoku University on the development of a preclinical small model 3T MR system with a high-temperature superconducting coil that doesn’t need to be cooled.

October 2017 Magazine

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