GE HealthCare Unveils Freelium: Next-Gen Sealed Magnet for Sustainable MR Access
GE HealthCare today introduced Freelium™, a groundbreaking next-generation sealed magnet platform designed to revolutionize Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. This innovative technology significantly reduces helium usage, requiring less than 1% of the liquid helium used in conventional magnet technology while maintaining diagnostic accuracy and supporting sustainability efforts. The launch took place at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2025, underscoring GE HealthCare’s commitment to advancing healthcare technology with an environmentally conscious approach.
A Milestone in MR Imaging Sustainability
Freelium represents the latest evolution in GE HealthCare’s intelligent lightweight platform magnet technology. Since its initial introduction in 2020, the platform has achieved remarkable global success, with over 2,000 installations worldwide at both 1.5T and 3.0T magnetic field strengths. The latest iteration further enhances these capabilities, aiming to optimize helium usage and ensure seamless operational security.
One of Freelium’s most significant advantages is its potential to drastically reduce reliance on liquid helium, a crucial but finite resource in MR imaging. Unlike conventional MR systems that require a large quantity of helium for cooling, Freelium utilizes a sealed magnet system that preserves efficiency while significantly lowering helium consumption. This breakthrough innovation aligns with global sustainability initiatives, reducing environmental impact and ensuring a more cost-effective, resource-efficient solution for healthcare providers.
Intelligent Design for Operational Efficiency
Beyond helium reduction, Freelium is designed to optimize power efficiency without additional cooling or power requirements. This efficiency ensures reliable MR operation even in regions where power stability is a challenge. To further enhance operational security, the system integrates intelligent sensor technology that remotely monitors the MR system, enabling automated magnet protection and self-recovery. This feature is particularly crucial in the event of unexpected power outages or natural disasters, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous patient access to critical imaging services.
GE HealthCare has meticulously designed Freelium to support seamless installation and transportation. Unlike traditional MR magnets, which risk significant helium loss during transit, Freelium’s sealed design mitigates this concern. This advantage enhances accessibility to MR technology, particularly in regions where helium supply is limited or costly, thereby improving healthcare equity and ensuring that more patients worldwide can benefit from high-quality MR imaging.
Enhancing Diagnostic Confidence with AI Integration
Maintaining the highest standards of imaging performance, Freelium is designed to integrate with GE HealthCare’s advanced AI-enabled solutions. The combination of intelligent magnet technology with artificial intelligence opens new opportunities for improved diagnostic accuracy, faster image acquisition, and enhanced workflow efficiency for radiologists and healthcare professionals.
AI-powered MR solutions are increasingly being leveraged to enhance diagnostic insights, streamline image analysis, and assist in detecting abnormalities with greater precision. The compatibility of Freelium with GE HealthCare’s AI-driven applications ensures that hospitals and imaging centers can harness the power of deep learning and automation for more accurate and timely diagnoses.
“Today’s unveiling of Freelium reinforces our commitment to providing equitable and sustainable access to MR for every patient and user while maintaining top-tier imaging performance and ensuring seamless operational security for our customers,” said Kelly Londy, President & CEO, Global MR, GE HealthCare. “We are excited about Freelium’s compatibility with AI-enabled solutions, which will unlock the full potential of deep learning applications for enhanced diagnostic insights in the future.”
Supporting Sustainability Goals in Healthcare
GE HealthCare has long been dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible healthcare solutions, and Freelium represents another step forward in this mission. The company’s sustainability initiatives focus on reducing the carbon footprint of medical imaging technology while ensuring continued access to cutting-edge diagnostic tools.
Freelium is part of GE HealthCare’s broader commitment to advancing eco-friendly innovations. Through intelligent magnet technology and Continuum™ upgrade programs, the company has successfully conserved approximately 3 million liters of helium to date. This achievement not only reduces dependency on a scarce natural resource but also lowers operational costs for healthcare facilities, enabling long-term economic and environmental benefits.
Additionally, GE HealthCare’s sustainability strategy extends beyond product design. The company prioritizes responsible manufacturing practices, energy-efficient system operation, and end-of-life recycling programs to ensure that its technological advancements contribute positively to both patient care and the planet.
Expanding Access to MR Imaging Worldwide
A key goal of Freelium’s development is to address disparities in access to MR imaging, particularly in underserved regions. Traditional MR systems can be difficult to install and maintain in areas with limited infrastructure or unreliable helium supply chains. By significantly reducing helium dependency and incorporating intelligent remote monitoring, Freelium makes MR imaging more feasible and sustainable for a broader range of healthcare facilities.
Hospitals and imaging centers in remote or resource-limited areas often struggle with the high operational costs associated with MR technology. Freelium’s innovative design minimizes these barriers, providing a reliable, cost-effective solution that ensures patients in diverse geographic locations can receive high-quality diagnostic imaging.
The Future of MR Technology
Freelium marks a new chapter in MR imaging, offering a solution that balances sustainability, operational efficiency, and diagnostic excellence. As healthcare continues to evolve, innovations like Freelium pave the way for a future where advanced medical imaging is more accessible, environmentally responsible, and seamlessly integrated with AI-driven insights.
GE HealthCare remains at the forefront of this transformation, continuously pushing the boundaries of MR technology. With a clear focus on improving patient outcomes, enhancing workflow efficiency, and reducing environmental impact, Freelium sets a new benchmark for the future of MR imaging.
