Siemens unveils helium-free MRI for streamlined radiation therapy

GERMANY—Siemens Healthineers has introduced its latest innovation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for radiation therapy: the Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition.

Unveiled at the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology congress, this 1.5 Tesla (T) MRI system is designed to address many longstanding challenges in integrating MRI into radiation therapy workflows.

A standout feature of the Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition is its helium-independent design.

Unlike traditional MRI scanners that require about 1,000 liters of liquid helium and a quench pipe for emergency venting, this system uses only 0.7 liters of helium, owing to its DryCool technology.

This eliminates the need for a quench pipe, making installation much simpler and allowing the scanner to be placed close to linear accelerators (linacs) without altering thick bunker walls.

The compact footprint-just 25 square meters-further eases integration into existing treatment facilities

The system leverages artificial intelligence through its Deep Resolve image reconstruction, which produces high-quality images while reducing scan times.

This is particularly valuable in radiation therapy, where precise imaging is crucial for accurate targeting and monitoring of tumors.

MRI’s superior soft-tissue contrast allows clinicians to contour treatment areas more precisely and assess cellular changes to monitor treatment response.

With features like Smart System Timer and Eco Power Mode, the Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition can achieve up to 45% energy savings compared to previous models, supporting hospitals’ sustainability goals.

Historically, using MRI in radiation therapy has been complicated by the size of scanners and the need for specialized infrastructure.

Conventional systems required extensive modifications to accommodate quench pipes, complicating installation near linacs.

 The new helium-independent technology overcomes these barriers, allowing easy access and streamlined workflows.

Patients can now be scanned in their treatment position, reducing the risk of image registration errors and scheduling issues that arise when separate imaging modalities are used.

Additionally, the scanner offers MR-based Synthetic CT, enabling adaptive radiotherapy. This means treatment plans can be adjusted as needed, helping clinicians strike the right balance between targeting tumors and preserving healthy tissue.

Dr. Florian Putz, Senior Physician at Uniklinikum Erlangen, Germany, emphasized that the new system allows for rapid access to MRI, maintaining short intervals between imaging and therapy.

 He noted MRI’s critical role in treating areas where CT imaging falls short, such as the brain, head and neck, and pelvis.

Gabriel Haras, head of Cancer Therapy Imaging at Siemens Healthineers, highlighted that while CT remains foundational for treatment planning, the added value of MRI is having a positive impact on patient outcomes.

He expressed pride in expanding the company’s portfolio with this dedicated, AI-powered 1.5T MR scanner, tailored for the unique needs of radiation therapy.