It’s no secret that helium is essential to the MRI imaging process. Helium turns into a liquid at very low temperatures and facilitates the superconductivity on which magnetic resonance imaging depends. In 2015, the amount of helium consumed by healthcare applications exceeded two billion cubic feet. A new report from Technavio forecasts helium consumption in healthcare will grow at 7 percent compound annual growth through 2020.
So where do we get that helium? The helium business is mainly in the United States, followed by Qatar and Russia. However, Russia has stated that it wants to become the world’s largest producer of helium by taking advantage of the large gas reserves in Irkutsk and Yakutia. While the global helium market is in its second year of oversupply, the helium market is expected to grow, with demands from the healthcare, federal research and biotechnology sectors.
However, Techavio research analysts believe that delayed natural gas field development and tensions in the Middle East could lead to supply issues and price volatility. They predict demand could soon outstrip supply.
In the not-too-recent past, there were two potential shortage crises that threatened to impact hospitals and patients around the world. So it’s good news that a manufacturer has developed a new GE MRI system that will use much less helium in MRI images. GE Healthcare recently revealed Freelium, a magnet technology that uses one percent liquid helium compared to conventional MRI magnets. That means that instead of using 2,000 liters of liquid helium, Freelium would use only 29 liters.
These new magnets are designed to be less dependent on helium, as well as being much easier to place and environmentally friendly. Hospitals would no longer need extensive ventilation, which often requires placing a magnet in a newly constructed room or separate building. These magnets also do not need to be recharged during transport or during their useful life. The result could be that MRI is more accessible and less expensive to locate and operate. At Centerach Equipment & Supplies, we are excited about this type of innovative technology and the impact it could have on the industry.
If you are looking for a refurbished or used MRI, Open or Closed, we hope you will contact us.