A mobile helium recovery system for MRI scanners that could provide helium gas at 50% of the market rate and reduce companies carbon footprint

Vertu is a UK-based medical device SME led by Johnny Khabra (project lead, regulatory manager), Michael Evans (technical lead) and Jasmine Ordinario (finance manager). Recent geopolitical conflicts have removed helium gas suppliers from international markets and caused shortages. The Amur plant in Russia was expected to meet 35% of global demand. Helium is crucial for MRIs, with common scanners requiring approximately 1.5K-2K litres of liquid helium to operate. This equals more than 10K litres over an MRI scanner's lifespan. Furthermore, helium is obtained from natural gas, and this process has considerable environmental impacts. Over time, helium shortages will result in heightened MRI scan costs for consumers and lower levels of innovation. Vertu is developing the first mobile MRI helium recovery system that is capable of managing high helium gas flow rates for various MRI scanners. Vertu's solution offers high-grade helium at 50% of the market rate. Vertu's helium recovery methods are predicted to result in carbon footprints that are 0.08% of the size of extraction. This will help UK businesses meet sustainability and net zero targets. The cost of recycling helium is far lower than extraction, meaning that Vertu can transfer those savings to its customers. Vertu's innovative project would help the government meet its heat pump production and net-zero targets.