Siemens Healthineers has received Food and Drug Administration clearance for the 70cm bore Magnetom Flow. platform, a 1.5 tesla (T) platform for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a closed helium circuit and no quench pipe, which reduces helium dependency and annual energy consumption. The upgradable platform covers the entire range of MR applications. It offers image reconstruction based on artificial intelligence (AI) for shorter scan times with improved image quality. The second virtually helium-free 1.5T MR platform from Siemens Healthineers it follows the 60cm bore Magnetom Flow.Ace. Siemens Healthineers also manufactures the low-helium 0.55T Magnetom Free platform.
“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,” said Katie Grant, head of Magnetic Resonance at Siemens Healthineers North America. “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.”
The Magnetom Flow. The platform requires only 0.7 litres of liquid helium for cooling, compared with conventional MRI scanners that typically require over 1,000 litres. This minimal helium requirement, made possible by the magnet’s DryCool¹ technology, can lower costs and conserve resources by removing the need for helium refills. The system design also eliminates the need for a quench pipe to vent gaseous helium directly into the atmosphere during an emergency shutdown. This lack of a quench pipe, along with the scanner’s compact size, can reduce installation requirements and costs compared to other 1.5T MR scanners.
AI supports automated workflows, including new cardiac workflows that simplify and standardise the setup of scan parameters. Deep Resolve 2D and 3D image reconstruction technology enables accelerated image acquisition, removes noise, and improves image sharpness. The myExam Assist and myExam Autopilot features provide adaptive, automated strategies for simplifying complex scans, and the tools in the myExam Implant Suite provide straightforward setup to safely scan patients with implants, including pacemakers.
The platform also reduces annual energy consumption up to 56 per cent compared with the previous generation of Siemens Healthineers MR scanners.² The Eco Power Mode automatically deactivates energy-intensive components when they are not needed. Additionally, the platform’s upgradability can reduce MR’s ecological footprint by offering future-proof growth with Fit upgrades, including upgrades for channels, gradients, and tables.
High-density contour coils are available in four sizes, including the new BioMatrix Contour XL coil for whole-body patient coverage. Each coil is flexible and adaptable to different anatomies. A new, integrated BioMatrix Position Sensor in the coil communicates with the scanner to suggest optimal patient positioning for potentially faster exam setup. A full portfolio of dedicated high-density coils is also available, including brain, spine, and musculoskeletal coils. The platform’s tiltable BioMatrix head and neck coil includes an optional new, integrated wireless audio system to improve the patient experience.
