Philips has announced the launch of the Ingenia Ambition X 1.5T MR, the next offering in its portfolio of Ingenia MRI technologies. A core innovation of the Ingenia Ambition X system is Philips’ breakthrough BlueSeal fully-sealed magnet which contains less than 0.5% of helium compared to conventional systems and the helium doesn’t need to be managed. The result is the world’s first MR system to enable helium-free operations, reducing the chance of potentially lengthy, costly, and even deadly disruptions, and virtually eliminating the dependency on a commodity with an unpredictable supply. The permanently sealed helium means the system does not require a vent pipe and is 900 kg lighter than its predecessor, the Ingenia 1.5T ZBO magnet, lowering construction costs.
Beyond BlueSeal’s benefits, the Ingenia Ambition X offers clinicians the combination of enhanced productivity while continuing to deliver high image quality. Philips’ EasySwitch solution allows the BlueSeal magnetic field to be easily turned off, such as in the event that an item becomes stuck in the bore, then returned to field, minimizing downtime. Turning off a conventional MRI typically requires trained professionals to come in and lots of time.
Instead of the two staff typically required to manage MR imaging device operations, guided patient setup and Adaptive Intelligence-driven SmartExam analytics on the Ingenia Ambition X automate planning, scanning, and processing to allow a single operator to manage the full scan from start to finish.
“MRI provides exceptional diagnostic and therapy guidance capabilities, but it also places substantial operational demands on the hospital or imaging center due to requirements for installation, footprint and service,” said Arjen Radder, Global Business Leader for MR at Philips. “BlueSeal is breakthrough MRI technology and we’re proud to be first to market. The fully-sealed magnet dramatically reduces the amount of liquid helium needed to cool the magnet to less than half a percent of the current norm. This results in significant operational benefits for our customers, including a smaller, lighter and more flexible installation footprint and a more efficient return to normal operations if an interruption in service should ever occur.”
Additionally, the Ingenia Ambition X incorporates Compressed SENSE, an advanced acceleration application that reduces exam times by up to 50%, VitalEye, a unique approach to detecting patient physiology and breathing movement, and VitalScreen, which allows routine exams to be setup in less than a minute. Together, these innovations come together in a device that strives to represent a new tier of MR imaging productivity.
The first commercial installation of the Ingenia Ambition X system is now in place at Spital Uster Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland. The Ingenia Ambition X is both CE marked and has secured 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration.
Here’s a video showing the basics of the BlueSeal technology:
Via: Philips…