MRI Monitor: Keeping it Cool
By Rebecca Montz, EdD, MBA, CNMT, PET, RT(N)(CT), NMTCB RS
Radiology Today
Vol. 25 No. 4 P. 6
Helium shortages could be cause for concern.
In January 2024, the United States government initiated the final sale of the Federal Helium Reserve, sparking concerns about potential supply shortages, particularly in the health care sector. Although helium is used in diverse sectors, including space exploration, scientific research, manufacturing, national defense, and weather forecasting, hospitals are the predominant consumers of this resource. The reserve, situated in Amarillo, Texas, furnishes approximately 30% of the nation’s helium, and its transition from public to private ownership can have an impact on distribution due to regulations on pipelines across multiple states, according to Mahadevappa Mahesh, MS, PhD, a professor of radiology and cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
MRI technology relies on superconducting magnets to create the necessary magnetic fields for imaging. These magnets require extreme cooling, typically close to absolute zero, to maintain superconductivity and ensure optimal functionality. Helium, in its liquid form, stands out as one of the few substances capable of achieving such low temperatures necessary for cooling the superconducting coils within MRI scanners. This cooling process enables the coils to conduct electricity without resistance, facilitating the production of strong magnetic fields.
Helium’s role in MRI scanners is indispensable, as it enables the generation of high-quality images crucial for medical diagnosis, research, and treatment planning. Its unique cooling properties make helium an irreplaceable element in the realm of medical imaging, ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of MRI technology.
Highlighting the significant helium use of hospitals, Mahesh points out the global deployment of around 50,000 MRI scanners, with over 95 million MRI scans conducted annually worldwide, with the United States alone accounting for roughly 40 million scans. Helium usage in MRI scanners varies based on several factors, including machine size, magnetic field strength, and cooling system design. A standard 1.5 T MRI scanner typically necessitates approximately 2,000 liters of liquid helium to maintain optimal cooling. Over the lifespan of an MRI machine, estimated at around 10,000 liters of helium, replenishment is essential to sustain the required cooling temperature, Mahesh explains.
Ballooning Concerns
The sale of the Federal Helium Reserve could trigger a range of implications for MRI scanners. These effects may vary from heightened operational expenses to potential innovations and regulatory actions aimed at ensuring continued access to helium for medical applications. The extent of these impacts depends on the details of the sale and how the market reacts to changes in helium availability and pricing.
The repercussions may fluctuate based on multiple factors, encompassing the quantity and value of helium involved, as well as geopolitical situations and prevailing market dynamics. Should a substantial amount of helium be sold from the Federal Helium Reserve, it holds the potential to impact the element’s market price. This could translate into greater operational expenses for MRI facilities, Mahesh says. Moreover, the sale could pose challenges in helium availability on a consistent basis, complicating the supply chain for MRI facilities and potentially causing maintenance and operational disruptions.
Economic elements, including the overall demand for MRI services and health care expenditures, are also pivotal in determining how MRI facilities navigate changes in helium availability and pricing. As helium prices rise, MRI facilities must consider the cost and availability of MRI services, which could influence scheduling as the usage of MRI scanners may be affected.
Future Innovations
Mahesh highlighted a silver lining amid the prospect of inflated helium prices or limited availability, suggesting that such challenges could spur innovation in MRI technology. He cites the emergence of helium free MRI machines or more efficient helium recycling systems as potential solutions, which could reshape the design and functionalities of MRI scanners in the future.
At the RSNA 2023 Annual Meeting, Philips unveiled a significant advancement known as the Blue- Seal—a mobile MRI unit engineered to conserve helium. Unlike conventional magnets, which typically require approximately 2,000 liters of liquid helium, the BlueSeal operates efficiently with 7 liters. Mahesh also notes other aspects of MRI scanner design innovations, emphasizing the trend toward recycling by capturing any leaked helium from the system and eliminating the need for helium refilling by completely sealing off helium in newer technologies.
Mahesh says proactive measures undertaken by imaging professionals and vendors include exploring alternative cooling methods and enhancing helium recycling technologies. He underscores the necessity of collaborative efforts within the industry to mitigate the potential disruptions to patient MRI procedures. Additionally, ongoing research initiatives are aimed at developing helium-free MRI technologies as a long-term solution to address helium shortage concerns. Mahesh says maintaining uninterrupted access to MRI services for patient care while adapting to changes in helium availability is of the utmost importance.
— Rebecca Montz, EdD, MBA, CNMT, PET, RT(N)(CT), NMTCB RS, has worked at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston as a nuclear medicine and PET technologist.
