Air Products launches MRI service program

Air Products and Chemicals of Lehigh Valley, PA, initiated an MRI maintenance program at last year’s RSNA conference. The program, called KeepCold Cryo-Shielding Maintenance Service, is part of the company’s efforts to offer customers a full range of cryogens and related services. The package includes replacement or repair of MRI magnets’ cold heads and compressors, which reduce helium loss and the amount of cryogens that boil off when the MRI is used, as well as replacement of oil absorbers and other components of the machines. Air Products staff will service magnets on site, but the company’s Helium Operations Group can also monitor magnet pressure, temperature, and run-time data remotely. Air Products services more than 65% of the total magnets in the U.S. and more than half of the total magnets worldwide, the company said.

In other Air Products news, the firm signed a 10-year contract with Intermagnetics General to provide that company with bulk and cylinder helium, nitrogen, and industrial and specialty gas mixtures for welding. Intermagnetics of Latham, NY, manufactures superconducting magnets, wire, and cable, and low-temperature refrigeration equipment and radio-frequency coils for MRI. Air Products will supply Intermagnetics’ Latham, Allentown, PA, and Waterbury, CT, sites with liquid nitrogen, and its Latham and Allentown facilities with cylinder blend gases. The company will also install a bulk helium supply system and helium recovery system at Intermagnetics’ Latham location.