Royal Philips will be unveiling its next-generation BlueSeal 1.5T wide-bore MR at RSNA, designed with a helium-free magnet and advanced AI integration.

The BlueSeal system uses only seven liters of helium, sealed within the magnet, eliminating the need for refills. It is also 3,748 pounds (1,700 kilograms) lighter than traditional models, making it suitable for locations with construction constraints or limited access to helium supplies.

Philips first introduced its helium-free MR solutions in 2018. Earlier this year the company touted its 1,111th installation, noting it has saved approximately 1.9 million liters of liquid helium through those systems.
AI integration and workflow improvements
The new BlueSeal scanner integrates Philips’ AI-enabled Smart Workflow solutions, designed to optimize efficiency throughout the imaging process. These features include:

• SmartExam, which automates exam planning and scanning for up to 80% of procedures.
• SmartFit coils, offering lightweight and flexible positioning to improve patient comfort and ease of use.
• SmartSpeed, enabling faster scans or higher-resolution imaging without additional time requirements, compatible with 97% of clinical protocols.
• SmartQuant, which delivers fast quantitative imaging for anatomies such as the brain, spine, and heart.
• Smart Reading, a cloud-based AI reporting tool co-developed with icometrix and Quibim for advanced neurological and oncology diagnostics.

These capabilities support radiology teams by automating routine tasks and providing consistent, high-quality imaging data.

Broader access and environmental benefits
The scanner's compact design facilitates installations in underserved or remote areas, and its energy-efficient operation reduces power consumption by 40 megawatt-hours annually, supporting healthcare facilities in meeting sustainability goals.

“With AI applications seamlessly integrated into our latest 1.5T BlueSeal scanner, we have now applied AI to every aspect of the MRI workflow – from patient set-up and high-resolution image capture to quantitative data extraction, advanced diagnostics, and reporting," said Dr. Ioannis Panagiotelis, global business leader for MR at Philips.

Some features of the system are pending regulatory approval and are not yet available for delivery globally.

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