Vosshenrich Jan, Breit Hanns-Christian, Bach Michael, Merkle Elmar M
Klinik für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, Universitätsspital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Schweiz.
Radiologe. 2022 May;62(5):400-404. doi: 10.1007/s00117-022-00986-9. Epub 2022 Mar 29.
Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners offer an opportunity for cost reduction in the healthcare system. This is due to lower manufacturing costs and reduced construction requirements for installation and operation.
To discuss potential cost reductions in acquisition, installation, and maintenance by using new low-field MRI systems.
We provide an overview of key cost drivers and an evaluation of the potential savings of a recent generation 0.55T low-field MRI compared to conventional 1.5T and 3T MRI systems in routine clinical practice.
In terms of purchase price, the savings potential of a 0.55T MRI compared to a 1.5T MRI system is about 40-50%. The 25% lower weight of the system reduces the transportation costs incurred, and the smaller size of the unit allows for installation by a remotely controlled mobile robotic system without opening the exterior façade, if the operating site is at ground level. Together with the lack of need to install a quench pipe, this reduces the total cost of installation by up to 70%. The maintenance cost of a 0.55T MRI is approximately 45% less than that of a 1.5T unit with a comparable service contract. Further cost reductions result from the smaller room size and potentially lower energy consumption for examinations and cooling.
The use of lower field strength MRI systems offers enormous economic and environmental potential for both hospitals and practice operators, as well as for the healthcare system as a whole.
低场磁共振成像（MRI）扫描仪为医疗保健系统降低成本提供了契机。这归因于较低的制造成本以及对安装和运行的建设要求降低。
探讨使用新型低场MRI系统在购置、安装和维护方面可能实现的成本降低。
我们概述了关键成本驱动因素，并评估了与常规1.5T和3T MRI系统相比，新一代0.55T低场MRI在常规临床实践中的潜在节省情况。
在购买价格方面，0.55T MRI与1.5T MRI系统相比，节省潜力约为40% - 50%。该系统重量减轻25%，降低了运输成本，且设备尺寸较小，如果操作场地在地面层，可由遥控移动机器人系统进行安装，无需打开外墙。再加上无需安装淬火管道，这使安装总成本降低多达70%。0.55T MRI的维护成本比具有类似服务合同的1.5T设备低约45%。更小的机房空间以及检查和冷却可能更低的能耗进一步降低了成本。
使用低场强MRI系统对医院、执业机构以及整个医疗保健系统而言，都具有巨大的经济和环境潜力。
