Helium Supplies Threatened for MRI Systems

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Helium Supplies Threatened for MRI Systems
www.atlantisworldwide.com
By Vikki Harmonay
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• Medical professionals perform roughly 30 million
  MRI scans every yearand each MRI system requires
  approximately 2,000 liters of liquid helium to
  keep the magnet cool and superconductive for
  imaging patients. Thats a lot of helium, and the
  current supply is in a precarious situation,
  thanks to these factors
• The war in Ukraine
• Climate change
• Privatization of helium resources
• Rise in demand
• Unplanned helium plant shutdowns in the U.S.,
  Russia and Quatar, some of the largest suppliers
  worldwide

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Supply chain issues are disrupting access to
helium. This results in higher prices and
threatens the ability for hospitals and medical
imaging centers to provide these services. Its
no surprise that the U.S. is now rethinking its
planned sale of the Federal Helium Reserve, an
underground structure that provides 40 of the
worlds helium. It was established in 1925. When
in 1996 the decision was made to sell off parts
of the reserve to private companies to cut
stockpile expenses, the private sector cut back
on its own helium production. This, too, has
contributed to demand surpassing supply
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Healthcare providers are being encouraged to
conserve helium and establish new strategies to
cope with the helium shortages and higher prices.
Some academic labs have even had to temporarily
shut down their MR spectroscopy and MR nuclear
systems. Others are paying a 30 premium for
helium in order to keep their MR scanners in
operation.
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Helium is a non-renewable, finite and
irreplaceable resource. Its produced by
radioactive decay of thorium or uranium within
the crust of the earth. The process of creating
helium takes millennia, and once helium reaches
the surface, it escapes into space. Now there
are considerations to avoid low-priority use of
helium. This includes the recreational use of
balloons. New efforts are being made to create
secure supply chains. In addition, MR providers
are being encouraged to invest in regular
maintenance inspections to ensure MR components
are performing properly.
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In addition, recently manufacturers have
introduced scanner that use much less helium than
used in traditional systems. Some systems dont
use helium at all. For example, Philips unveiled
the Ingenia Ambition X 1.5T MR Scanner in 2018,
which uses seven liters of helium when it is
first set up. It doesnt require more helium
throughout its operational life. In 2021 it
introduced the MR 5300 1.5T system. While these
scanners drastically reduce the use of helium,
these systems will not replace the global fleet
of traditional MR systems.
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Talk To An Expert
What can you do to reduce the use of helium in
your medical imaging facility? What does the
future of MR systems look like? Talk to the
experts at Atlantis Worldwide. Weve been helping
medical imaging professionals find the right
systems for their practice, clinic or facility
for 30 years and would love to assist
you. Contact Atlantis Worldwide today.
www.atlantisworldwide.com
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Other blogs you may have missed

• The Future of Helium MRIs
• MRI Cold Head Tips
• Service Contracts for Imaging Systems Penny Wise
  and Pound Foolish?
• Radiologists, Healthcare Social Media
• Should your business lease or buy medical imaging
  equipment?
• Free MRI Resources

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