How the Right MRI Chiller System Affects Reliable Uptime

MRI machines are expected to run continuously for extended periods, which often necessitates a reliable chiller system. A dedicated MRI chiller system ensures that all patients are adequately served by maintaining favorable temperature levels at all times. This article takes a special look at MRI chillers, aiming to shed light on how these chillers can help you eliminate MRI machine downtime.

What is an MRI Chiller System

An MRI chiller system is simply a refrigeration system built to keep MRI machines running flawlessly by extracting the excess heat generated by the machines’ magnet gradient coils. This chiller relies on specialized coolants, particularly dielectric coolants, to cool your MRI system, thus allowing it to run continuously and smoothly. As a result, you can tend to more patients since the need for unnecessary cooling breaks is eliminated.

Why MRI Machines Need Chiller Systems

Any magnetic resonance imaging machine tasked with handling a myriad of patients can benefit significantly from a dedicated chiller system. A befitting chiller makes it possible to run MRI machines 24/7, without risking overheating. Here are some of the reasons why investing in an MRI chiller would be a genius idea.

• Preserving Superconductivity: MRI machines rely on magnetic fields, which necessitate superconducting coils. Excess heat can wear off the strength of these magnetic fields, hence most MRI systems are fitted with chillers to avert overheating.
• Maintaining Great Image Quality: Once an MRI machine overheats, calibration errors might erupt, resulting in inconsistencies. Such inconsistencies may cause blurriness in the images generated. Exploiting MRI chillers gets rid of these inconsistencies, consequently guaranteeing you great MRI image quality.
• Enhancing Uptime by Preventing System Downtime: If an MRI machine is left running for extended periods, its safety sensors may prompt an automatic shutdown once the temperature gets too high. Linking the system to a chiller ensures that the temperature levels remain conducive, thus increasing the number of patients scanned.
• Cooling the Gradient Coils: MRI machines are heavily reliant on gradient coils, which often generate heat. If the heat is not dissipated instantly, the coils can warp or even melt, leading to poor performance. An MRI chiller keeps the gradient coils in tin-top condition by dislodging the friction-heat generated while the machine runs.
• Prolonging Component Lifespan: High heat not only degrades the quality of MRI scans, but it also wears out key components such as gradient coils and RF amplifiers prematurely. MRI chillers prevent the buildup of excess heat, consequently extending the service life of your MRI machine and its heat-sensitive components.

MRI Machine Components that Require Cooling

Whereas MRI chiller systems generally keep your MRI machines cool, they are particularly essential to the functioning of certain key components. These components include;

How do MRI Chillers Work

Magnetic resonance imaging chillers simply keep your MRI machines functioning smoothly by running a dedicated coolant that absorbs the heat generated during scanning. Typical MRI machines generate a lot of heat, especially when left running for long periods. Specialized chillers run refrigerant around the system, and as the coolant runs past certain components, it absorbs the generated heat.

The heated coolant is then driven to the chiller, where the heat is dislodged, leaving behind a heat-free coolant. This coolant is subsequently driven around the MRI machine, where it absorbs the generated heat before it is pumped back to the chiller unit for further cooling. Cooling cycles are undertaken consecutively, thus preventing excessive heat build-up.

Types of MRI Chiller Systems

Just like typical chiller systems, MRI chillers also come in varying forms, each tailor-made for specific uses. Here are the most prominent types and their key strengths.

· Air-Cooled MRI Chillers

These MRI chiller systems thrive in both small and medium-sized imaging centers since they are comparatively smaller. They are known as air-cooled MRI chillers because they get rid of the generated heat by disposing it to the outside air. As such, they come fitted with high-power fans rather than cooling towers. However, to optimize the performance of air-cooled MRI chiller systems, you need to ventilate your imaging room or center adequately.

· Water-Cooled MRI Chillers

Water-cooled MRI chillers pump the heated coolant to dedicated cooling towers, which exploit water to expel the heat. Typically, they dispel more heat much faster than their air-cooled counterparts, making them the perfect refrigeration system for large hospitals or enormous imaging centers. However, their reliance on cooling towers translates into higher installation costs.

· Central Medical System Chillers

These chillers are built to cool and regulate the temperature of entire medical facilities rather than dedicated imaging spaces. As such, they are relatively more powerful and much bigger. They are typically mounted in dedicated rooms or on rooftops from where they can pump the dedicated coolant across the entire medical facility. This centralized setup makes them quite convenient to monitor and maintain.

· Portable MRI Chillers

Portable MRI chiller systems are easier to move around thanks to their comparatively smaller footprint. They are designed for individual imaging rooms or spaces, where you can program them to maintain certain temperature levels. However, they can be quite noisy, given that they are installed right next to your MRI machines.

Finding the Right MRI Chiller to Guarantee Reliable Uptime

Before getting your health facility or laboratory an MRI chiller, you must carefully and critically assess all the available options. As you look at the distinct MRI chiller systems on offer, pay special attention to the factors listed below.

• Cooling Ability
• Size
• Budget
• Energy Consumption
• Temperature
• Noise

FAQs

Can you use regular chillers to cool MRI machines?

Whereas regular chillers are quite effective at cooling machinery and spaces, they are not recommended for spaces housing MRI machines. Ideal MRI chillers should be rated as medical-grade, meaning that they can cool your MRI machine without risking the safety of your patients or operators.

What is the required cooling temperature for MRI machines?

MRI machines are heavily reliant on magnets, whose effectiveness and strength are heavily dependent on the prevailing temperature levels. Most of these magnets must be subjected to temperatures in the range of 4 Kelvin. Temperatures higher than this can lead to inaccurate imaging and poor image quality.

What type of coolant is used in MRI chiller systems?

Most MRI chiller systems rely on propylene glycol to absorb the heat generated during imaging, consequently cooling your MRI machine. This coolant is greatly favored because it does not corrode key components nor freeze. It is also comparatively more efficient when it comes to heat dissipation.

Is it mandatory to have an MRI chiller system?

MRI machines generate a lot of heat when left running for long periods. This heat, if not dissipated instantly, can dilute the strength of the superconducting magnets, leading to imaging inaccuracies and poor image quality. This underlines the need for a dedicated chiller system for your MRI machine.

Chillerone if your Trusted MRI Chiller Manufacturer in China

At Chillerone, we design and manufacture chillers to meet the specific needs of our customers. With our MRI chillers, you can expect significant energy saving and 100% uptime due to their unique designs and reliability. Whether you are looking for air-cooled chillers or water-cooled chillers, we customize each machine to your specific needs.

Partner with us today, for unique chillers designed for your MRI machines – Get our machine catalogue now.