The platform uses a closed helium circuit and AI-based workflows to reduce helium use, energy consumption, and exam time.
Siemens Healthineers has received US Food and Drug Administration clearance for its 70cm bore Magnetom Flow platform, a 1.5-tesla (T) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system designed to operate with a closed helium circuit and without a quench pipe. According to the company, the design reduces helium dependency and lowers annual energy consumption compared with previous generations of MR scanners.
The system is Siemens Healthineers’ second virtually helium-free 1.5T MR platform, following the 60cm bore Magnetom Flow.Ace. The company also offers the 0.55T Magnetom Free system, which uses a low-helium design.
The 70cm Magnetom Flow platform is intended to support a broad range of MR applications and includes artificial intelligence–based image reconstruction to shorten scan times while improving image quality. The platform is also designed to be upgradable over time.
“The 70cm Magnetom Flow platform is an intelligent magnetic resonance scanner that exceeds clinical expectations and simplifies workflows while doubling down on our commitment to sustainability in healthcare,” says Katie Grant, head of magnetic resonance at Siemens Healthineers North America, in a release. “This platform can help healthcare institutions meet the demands of higher patient throughput in less time than previous generations of MR scanners while also lowering the total cost of ownership.”
Features of the Magnetom Flow
The platform requires 0.7 liters of liquid helium for cooling, compared with conventional MRI scanners that typically require more than 1,000 liters, according to Siemens Healthineers. The low helium requirement is enabled by the system’s DryCool technology, which is designed to eliminate the need for helium refills over the lifetime of the magnet. The absence of a quench pipe, along with the system’s compact footprint, may also reduce installation complexity and associated costs, the company said.
AI-based automation supports exam setup and scanning, including cardiac workflows designed to standardize parameter selection. Deep Resolve 2D and 3D image reconstruction is used to accelerate image acquisition, reduce noise, and improve image sharpness. Additional tools, including myExam Assist and myExam Autopilot, are intended to automate complex exams, while the myExam Implant Suite supports scanning patients with implants such as pacemakers.
Siemens Healthineers reports that the system can reduce annual energy consumption by up to 56% compared with its previous generation of MR scanners. An Eco Power Mode automatically powers down energy-intensive components when not in use. The platform’s upgradeability is also intended to extend system life through future hardware enhancements, including channels, gradients, and patient tables.
The Magnetom Flow platform supports a range of high-density contour coils in multiple sizes, including the BioMatrix Contour XL coil for whole-body coverage. The coils are designed to adapt to different patient anatomies, and an integrated BioMatrix Position Sensor communicates with the scanner to suggest patient positioning. Additional dedicated coils are available for brain, spine, and musculoskeletal imaging. The system’s tiltable BioMatrix head and neck coil can also be equipped with an integrated wireless audio system to support patient comfort.
Photo caption: 70cm bore Magnetom Flow platform
Photo credit: Siemens Healthineers
