Philips launches helium-free 3T MRI platform
Royal Philips has introduced BlueSeal Horizon, the world’s first helium-free 3.0T MRI platform, combining advanced artificial intelligence capabilities with sustainable magnet technology. The system was unveiled at RSNA 2025 in Chicago, representing what the company describes as a major scientific achievement in magnetic resonance imaging.
Eliminating helium dependency in high-field MRI
The new platform extends Philips’ helium-free technology to 3.0T systems, building on the success of its 1.5T BlueSeal MRI systems. Since 2018, more than 2,000 of these lower-field systems have been installed worldwide, saving over 6 million litres of liquid helium. The 3.0T system eliminates the need for helium refills and vent pipes, reducing installation complexity and operational risks.
“With BlueSeal Horizon we’re freeing MRI from dependence on a valuable resource the world can’t replace and bringing advanced diagnostic capabilities to people previously out of reach,” said Ioannis Panagiotelis, PhD, business leader for MR at Philips. “But more than that, BlueSeal Horizon is an entirely new 3.0T innovation platform that combines breakthroughs in hardware with AI-powered software, eliminating the trade-off between imaging speed and precision and improving outcomes for both practitioners and patients.”
AI-driven workflow optimisation
The BlueSeal Horizon platform integrates several AI-powered features designed to streamline clinical workflows. SmartPlanning now extends to cardiac imaging, automating planning steps that previously required multiple manual actions into a single click, achieving automated planning in as little as 30 seconds.
Real-time Scan Preview, powered by NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform and Open Models, enables faster 3D image reconstruction, denoising, and artefact reduction. This allows radiologists to preview scans and adjust image quality and speed parameters during acquisition, optimising workflow efficiency.
Enhanced imaging performance
SmartSpeed Precise employs dual AI technology to enable scans up to three times faster whilst producing images up to 80% sharper compared to Philips SENSE/C-SENSE imaging. The system also features SmartReading, which integrates cloud-based AI reading and reporting tools directly on the MR system for neurology and oncology applications.
3.0T MRI systems represent the most advanced magnet technology in widespread clinical use, providing high-resolution imaging for research and complex clinical cases. These systems excel in imaging the brain, blood vessels, muscles, and joints, capturing intricate anatomical and functional details.
The helium-free design utilises 7 litres of helium permanently enclosed within the cryogenic circuit, maintaining the superconducting properties required for high-field imaging whilst eliminating the environmental and logistical challenges associated with helium refills.
- For more information, visit: www.philips.com
