Arrowe Park Hospital, part of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has taken delivery of the first MAGNETOM Flow.Elite MRI system set to enter clinical use within the NHS in the UK. The helium-independent 1.5T scanner, which uses just 0.7 litres of helium…
Republished by AIC Engineering. All rights belong to the original publisher; see Source below.
Arrowe Park Hospital, part of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has taken delivery of the first MAGNETOM Flow.Elite MRI system set to enter clinical use within the NHS in the UK. The helium-independent 1.5T scanner, which uses just 0.7 litres of helium, is due to begin welcoming patients later this month and is expected to increase scanning capacity by 15-20%¹, helping to reduce MRI waiting times without compromising image quality.
The installation gives Arrowe Park Hospital a more infrastructure-efficient way to expand its MRI service as demand for diagnostic imaging grows. Once commissioned, the system will support high-quality diagnostic imaging and safer transfers for critically unwell patients, while reducing reliance on helium, a finite natural resource.
At the centre of MAGNETOM Flow.Elite is DryCool technology, a helium-independent magnet design. Traditional MRI systems require large amounts of liquid helium to cool their magnets. MAGNETOM Flow.Elite uses just 0.7 litres of helium, roughly the volume of a water bottle, sealed within the magnet for its lifetime with no need for refills. Removing the need for a conventional quench pipe, the design also simplifies siting requirements and gives healthcare providers greater flexibility. Reducing reliance on helium also supports the NHS's wider net zero ambitions.
For the trust, the benefits extend from installation through to clinical use. MAGNETOM Flow.Elite combines a compact footprint and 70 cm patient bore with AI-powered imaging and workflow technologies designed to accelerate scans and simplify examinations. Deep Resolve supports faster scanning while maintaining diagnostic image quality, while intelligent workflow features help radiographers deliver consistent results efficiently. Together, these technologies show how helium-independent MRI can help NHS imaging services expand capacity as demand grows.
"This investment demonstrates our commitment to providing the very best care for our patients. By introducing the latest technology, we can improve access to important diagnostic tests, support our staff and deliver benefits for both patients and the environment, " states Janelle Holmes, chief executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital.
“We are incredibly proud to be the first NHS organisation to use MAGNETOM Flow.Elite in everyday patient care,” states Paula Quilliam, principal MRI radiographer at Wirral University Teaching Hospital. “It will help us see more patients, reduce waiting times and continue providing high-quality diagnostic imaging for our communities."
“Demand for MRI continues to grow across the NHS, making it increasingly important to expand capacity efficiently,” states Alistair Piggot, business area lead for Magnetic Resonance. “Bringing the first MAGNETOM Flow.Elite into the NHS at Arrowe Park is an exciting opportunity to show how MRI can evolve to meet that growing demand, supported by superconducting magnet technology manufactured in Oxfordshire.”
Source
- Siemens Healthineers (2026-11-03)
- Original article: First Helium-Independent MAGNETOM Flow.Elite MRI Scanner Set to Enter NHS Clinical Use in the UK
- https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-ie/press-room/press-features/arrowe-park-magnetom-flow-elite