Throughout the universe, helium is the second most abundant element after hydrogen since it is produced in our stars from nuclear fusion, giving us heat and light. However, on Earth, it is one of our rarest elements and is only available in limited supply.
The demand for helium in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, aviation, rocketry, weather balloons, and industrial applications is high. As a result, the cost of refilling it in MRI has been rising every year.
We will explore how helium is used in MRI, the cost and availability, and ways to help you save money.
How Is Liquid Helium Used in MRI Scanners?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanners contain a large magnet, as well as coils, wires, and other components, which all need very low temperatures to function as intended. MRI machines use liquid helium because it can be supercooled to -452°F, just short of absolute zero (-459.67°F).
At these temperatures, it is a liquid with weak interatomic forces that allow it to remain liquid even at absolute zero. This makes it the perfect coolant to cool the strong magnets, coils, and other components while the machine is scanning.
What Happens if an MRI Runs Out of Helium?
If the machine runs out of liquid helium, it will be unable to cool its magnets, preventing it from generating the strong magnetic field that is required for high-quality imaging. Therefore, it will not work.
This is why it is essential to monitor your levels and order more before you run out. Since supply shortages sometimes create additional delays, this could leave you having to reschedule your patients’ imaging for weeks while you wait for a refill.
Current Helium Cost & Availability
Liquid helium is one of Earth’s rarest elements. It is highly valuable in MRI and widely used in research, aviation, rocket sciences, weather balloons, and more. However, the combination of high demand and its rarity has been driving the cost up every year.
Cost
Helium is sometimes called liquid gold because it is the coldest and one of the rarest non-renewable substances on Earth, making it extremely valuable. Its ability to be supercooled and still remain liquid at absolute zero means that there simply is no substitute for it in medical and industrial uses, so the cost is very high.
The limited supply and high demand have driven the cost to between $30 - $55 per liter in the USA. How much you will pay, however, will depend on a few factors. For instance, those who have signed agreements with their vendor will pay fixed costs based on those agreements.
Also, how much you need will also affect your cost since many vendors offer bulk discounts. How much you need is determined by how many systems you need to fill and the size of your system, with some machines taking only 300L while other magnets require up to 2,000L or more.
Availability
Since it’s a limited, non-renewable resource, its availability is fixed, and demand is high. As a result, shortages and backorders often result in waits of 1-4 weeks, which is not uncommon but depends on your location and local supply. Monitor your levels carefully and schedule a fill ahead of time so you can be sure you won’t run out.
If you do run out and request an emergency rather than a scheduled refill, this often significantly drives up the cost.
How To Save Money on Your Next Helium Fill
Proactive Maintenance
Performing proactive maintenance on your cooling chain and cryocooler is the best way to prevent high losses in the machine. Schedule routine preventative maintenance on your chiller and replace your cold head before it stops working. This routine maintenance can prevent that dreaded MRI quench when the coils warm up, causing the liquid to convert to gas and boil off, costing you your supply.
It may also severely or irreparably damage your coils. Performing maintenance will also save you the stress of having to deal with downtime if your machine is damaged.
Reduce Consumption
Use a remote magnet monitoring service to better monitor your coolant levels. This will prevent HVAC issues that could turn your compressor off at night or on weekends and help identify when magnet pressure increases may be causing an increase in boil-off. This proactive monitoring can also help you save significant money.
Find a Partner
Find a service provider that offers a service agreement and cryogen coverage. They often have agreements with their own suppliers that allow them to save on bulk purchases. Then, they can minimize the price increases and pass the savings on to you, which could save you thousands of dollars each year.
It’ll have the additional benefits of reducing your equipment lifecycle costs and unexpected equipment downtime, which in turn will increase your return on investment and improve patient care.
Consider a Zero Boil-Off Magnet
Older machines inevitably lose liquid helium due to boil-off. Consider upgrading your machine to a newer zero-boil-off magnet. Newer MRIs often have zero-boil-off magnets already installed, but if you are considering purchasing a new machine, check its specs to make sure that is what you are getting.
Zero boil-off magnets have improved cooling technology that prevents boil-off if they are functioning correctly. However, even with zero-boil-off magnets, it is important to understand that there are still minimal losses because parts or cooling systems may have minor malfunctions. However, they bring the losses down to about 1-4% each month, on average.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Helium Is in an MRI Unit?
The amount of liquid helium in an MRI unit depends on the machine. Some newer magnets hold as little as 7L, while most hold much larger amounts. The average machine typically holds between 1,000L and 2000L.
Can MRI Work Without Helium?
No, an MRI cannot function without liquid helium since the powerful magnets within it must be cooled to near absolute zero to work properly. If your MRI runs out and you try to use it anyway, the magnetic field will be quenched, and you will not be able to produce images.
Final Thoughts
While helium is abundant in the universe, it’s an extremely rare element on Earth. It’s also in high demand in the medical imaging field and in industrial applications since it is the coldest liquid substance on Earth. This makes it critical in applications that require supercooling to near absolute zero. As a result, prices continue to rise due to a combination of limited supply and high demand.
Fortunately, newer machines have zero boil-off magnets, which significantly reduce losses to between 1-4% monthly, saving you significant money. Older machines can also be upgraded to a zero boil-off magnet. If you have questions about MRI equipment, contact Maven Imaging today. Our team of experts is always available to help.
