India's First Superconducting Magnet System
Making MRI More Accessible Than Ever
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a critical diagnostic tool that employs powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of the human body's internal structures. It is indispensable for examining various parts of the body, including the brain, spinal cord, bones, joints, heart, blood vessels, and internal organs. Despite their crucial role in diagnostics, the exorbitant costs of MRI machines and tests have significantly limited access to advanced healthcare in India. This financial barrier has prevented many from benefiting from essential MRI scans, which are vital for accurate and timely medical diagnosis.
In a groundbreaking development that could change this scenario, scientists at the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi, have successfully developed India's first superconducting magnet system for MRI machines. This pioneering feat, which showcases India's growing prowess in high-tech innovation, promises to revolutionise the healthcare landscape. By creating this sophisticated technology domestically, the IUAC aims to reduce the cost of MRI machines, making advanced diagnostic services more accessible to the Indian population. Moreover, this development could enable India to export affordable MRI machines, thereby providing much-needed healthcare solutions to other countries, especially those in the developing world.
Up until now, India has been reliant on importing all of its superconducting MRI magnets from abroad, incurring an annual expense of nearly INR 1800 crores. This dependence on imports has significantly driven up the cost of MRI machines and the associated diagnostic tests, thereby limiting access to advanced healthcare services. Presently, India has a mere 1.5 MRI machines per million people, a stark contrast to the more than 10 MRI machines per million found in developed nations. The imperative to increase the availability of MRI machines is crucial for enhancing healthcare accessibility across the country.
Crucial Collaborations
Development of 1.5 Tesla Superconducting MRI Magnet System
Funded by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) under the MRI project, the development of the 1.5 Tesla superconducting MRI magnet system involved collaboration with several institutions: SAMEER-Mumbai for RF coils and electronics, CDAC-Kolkata and CDAC-Trivandrum for imaging software, and DSI-Bangalore for MR physics. The IUAC was specifically tasked with building the superconducting magnet and its zero-boil-off liquid Helium (LHe) cryostat.
The indigenous MRI magnet system comprises eight super-conducting coils-six primary and two active shield coils-made from Cu/NbTi conductors, which function at an incredibly low temperature of 4.2K (about -269°C). The system includes advanced features such as an efficient quench protection system, an external interference screening system, and the ability to maintain a magnetic field stability of 0.1 ppm/hr in persistent mode.
One of the standout achievements is the development of the zero-boil-off (ZBO) cryostat. This state-of-the-art cryostat ensures that the magnet remains cooled at 4.2K using a GM cryocooler and a heat exchanger-based re-condensation technique, maintaining optimal operating condi-tions without the loss of liquid Helium.
The IUAC team's success in this area marks India's entry into a select group of nations capable of producing such advanced technology. The ability to produce MRI machines domestically not only reduces dependency on imports but also positions India as a potential exporter of these critical medical devices. This can significantly enhance healthcare access in developing countries, where the cost and availability of advanced medical diagnostics remain a significant challenge.
Interview
Prof. Avinash Chandra Pandey
Director, Inter-University Accelerator Centre
Q: Could you elaborate on the key challenges your team faced during the MRI project and how you overcame them?
A. One of the major challenges we faced was achieving technological mastery, as developing an MRI magnet requires deep expertise and precision engineering. This was initially a significant hurdle. Additionally, traditional MRI machines depend heavily on liquid Helium for cooling, and since India does not have abundant Helium reserves, this posed a substantial obstacle. Cost constraints were another primary concern, as we needed to ensure the technology was cost- effective to produce and maintain. Finally, integrating artificial intelligence to enhance MRI imaging posed both technical and computational challenges.
To overcome these challenges, we brought together a multidisciplinary team of engineers, physicists, and medical professionals to address the technological complexities. We focused on developing Helium- free MRI machines by exploring alternative cooling methods and advanced materials to achieve the required superconductivity. By utilising domestically sourced materials and components, we were able to keep production costs down and streamlined the manufacturing process to ensure efficiency. To tackle AI integration, we partnered with IT experts and leveraged existing AI frameworks to develop sophisticated algorithms capable of enhancing MRI imaging, especially in low- field environments.
Q: How do you envision the impact of locally manufactured MRI machines on the healthcare landscape in India, particularly in terms of accessibility and affordability for the broader population?
A. The impact of locally manufactured MRI machines on the healthcare landscape in India will be significant. In terms of accessibility, domestic production will allow us to significantly increase the number of MRI machines available across the country, particularly in underserved rural and remote areas. Localised manufacturing means quicker and more responsive maintenance and support, reducing downtime and ensuring machines are operational more frequently.
Affordability will also improve as eliminating the need for imported MRI machines and parts reduces costs dramatically, making MRI scans more affordable for a broader segment of the population. Sustainable maintenance will further reduce overall expenditure on MRI machines by avoiding costly annual maintenance contracts with foreign companies, benefiting healthcare providers and patients alike.
Q: You mentioned potential future developments, such as lighter and cost- effective whole- body scanners with AI integration. Could you share more information about these innovations and how they could transform rural healthcare in India?
A. In future, scanners will be designed to be smaller and lighter, making them easier to transport and install in rural clinics and hospitals. Developing MRI machines that do not require Helium will make them more economical and easier to maintain in remote areas. AI integration will play a pivotal role in enhancing image quality and diagnostic accuracy, even with smaller magnets and lower field strengths.
These innovations will significantly transform rural healthcare. Enhanced diagnostic capability, facilitated by advanced AI integration, will ensure that even smaller and less powerful MRI machines provide high-quality images for accurate diagnoses. Combined with telemedicine infrastructure, these scanners will enable remote consultations with specialists, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment. This will reduce the need for patients to travel to urban centres for medical care, saving time and money. Early and accurate diagnosis facilitated by these innovations will lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life for rural populations.
Contributed by: Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC), CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi.