Southlake Health installs Philips helium-free MRI scanner

Southlake Health has installed a Philips Ambition X MR scanner with BlueSeal technology at its Ontario facility, according to a press release from Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG).

The helium-free 1.5T MRI scanner features a 70-centimeter bore and uses Philips' Compressed SENSE and SmartSpeed acceleration technologies. According to the company, these technologies can perform MRI exams up to three times faster compared to Philips SENSE imaging.

Southlake Health completed over 20,700 MRI scans last year. The new equipment aims to address growing demand for diagnostic imaging services in northern York Region and southern Simcoe County, where Southlake operates.

"With this leading-edge technology, our teams will be able to provide faster, more confident diagnoses for patients," said Lisa Thain, Staff Radiologist and Clinical Director of MRI at Southlake Health.

The BlueSeal technology eliminates the need for regular helium refills, which Philips states reduces operational costs and downtime associated with traditional MRI systems. The company reports that approximately 2,000 BlueSeal installations worldwide have collectively saved 5 million liters of helium.

Southlake Health has used Philips imaging technology for over 20 years. The new MRI installation was funded through the Southlake Health Foundation's "HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match" campaign.

The healthcare provider operates with a budget exceeding $600 million and employs 6,000 staff, medical personnel, volunteers and learners across multiple sites in Ontario. Southlake Health has maintained Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada for 16 consecutive years.

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