Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a leader in health technology, is set to unveil its next-generation 1.5T BlueSeal MR wide-bore scanner at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2024 annual meeting. This latest iteration features a 70 cm wide-bore design and integrates AI-powered MR Smart Workflow solutions. These advancements aim to improve diagnostic accuracy, enhance patient throughput, and optimize MRI operations, making it a key innovation for high-demand healthcare environments.
Philips’ AI-enabled Smart Workflow technology enhances the MRI process by automating various stages, from patient set-up to high-resolution image capture, and generating fully automated AI-based quantitative reports. A key partner in this development is icometrix, a Belgian company specializing in neurological diagnostics, and Quibim, based in Spain, which focuses on imaging biomarkers for prostate cancer. Together, they elevate diagnostic precision, offering fully automated, cloud-based, quantitative imaging reports for complex conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and prostate cancer.
One of the standout features of the BlueSeal MRI is its helium-free operation, making it the lightest 1.5T 70cm MRI system available. This eco-friendly design eliminates the need for costly helium refills and vent pipes, offering flexibility for installations in challenging locations, such as elevated floors or buildings with construction constraints. Since its launch in 2018, Philips has installed over 1,500 BlueSeal systems globally, including the first helium-free mobile MRI units, helping to deliver quality imaging to diverse healthcare settings.
“Philips invented helium-free operations in MRI, and with the addition of AI to our latest BlueSeal system, we are applying cutting-edge technology to every aspect of the MRI workflow—ensuring faster, more efficient, and accurate imaging,” said Ioannis Panagiotelis, PhD, Global Business Leader MRI at Philips. “We continue to expand access to high-quality MRI across multiple settings, helping to address the needs of both patients and healthcare providers.”
Customer feedback highlights the efficiency gains achieved with BlueSeal technology. MRT Praxis Potsdam in Germany, for example, has increased its patient throughput from 32-35 to 40 patients per day using a BlueSeal MRI equipped with SmartSpeed, showcasing the platform’s ability to streamline processes without compromising diagnostic quality.
Philips’ new BlueSeal MRI integrates several AI-enhanced solutions to maximize MRI efficiency. Key components include SmartExam, which automates MRI exam planning and processing for up to 80% of procedures; SmartFit coils, which offer enhanced patient comfort and flexibility; and SmartSpeed, which increases image resolution by up to 65% without added scan time, or offers scans up to three times faster. These innovations are designed to support technologists through every stage of the MRI process, enhancing both workflow efficiency and diagnostic confidence.
The next-generation Philips BlueSeal 1.5T MRI will be demonstrated at RSNA 2024, showcasing its ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and eco-friendly MRI solutions with the help of advanced AI technology.
