But our supplies of this non-renewable resource are diminishing.
Although the U.S. is currently the main producer of helium, and runs
the world's only massive underground reserve, in Texas, we're running
out. According to expert testimony at a congressional hearing last week
on a proposed law that would shore up federal helium reserves, at the
current rate of consumption, the U.S. could become a net importer of
the stuff in the next 10 years.
Although it's generally not a top concern in the health care
industry, roiled as it is by meaningful use regulations, device taxes
and other big policy fights, MRI manufacturers and users depend on a
secure, long-term helium supply.
Every year, millions of liters of liquid helium are consumed in the
production and maintenance of MRIs, which need the substance to keep
magnet materials cold enough to be superconducting, allowing them to
work.
So, MRI makers are taking some traditional conservation steps in
their approach to helium: reducing, reusing and, perhaps even one day,
replacing.
One company, GE Healthcare, which testified at the May 10 Senate
hearing, says it's even been able to reduce helium consumption on a per
unit basis by 5 percent for each of the past five years, a plan it
hopes to continue going forward.
"The whole concept of every molecule of helium counts, that's been
a focus for us," Peter Jarvis, general manager of GE's global magnet
and gradient engineering team, told DOTmed News.
The MRI industry actually uses a sizable amount of the globe's
helium supplies, probably close to 28 percent, according to research
done by Moses Chen, a professor with the University of Pennsylvania.
In his testimony before the Senate Energy Committee hearing last
week, GE general manager Tom Rauch reckoned his company alone uses
close to 5 million liters of helium in the production of the 1,000 MRIs
it ships from its Florence, S.C.dc electrical motor
operate by way of the function of magnetic fields and current conductors to employ force. factory every year.