Application

Vacuum in medical imaging (MRI)

The magnet of an MRI scanner sits in an insulation vacuum: Edwards names below 10⁻⁵ mbar for this, generated with a turbo pump. Pfeiffer Vacuum assigns the DuoVane and HiScroll series to diagnostic imaging. Below you can see how the application works, what vacuum the manufacturers name and which of their series are intended for it – 16 models from 1 manufacturers.

Compare 16 modelsHow it works

  • 16Models
  • 2Series
  • 1Manufacturers
  • below 10⁻⁵ mbarInsulation vacuum of the MRI magnet (Edwards)
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Touch the points: each part of the system explains itself.

In short

Medical imaging (MRI): the key facts

  • Insulation vacuumEdwards describes the vacuum in the MRI scanner as an insulation vacuum around the magnet: without gas in the insulation space there is no heat conduction and no convection, and heat from outside is kept away from the magnet.
  • Below 10⁻⁵ mbarFor the insulation vacuum of the MRI magnet, Edwards names a pressure below 10⁻⁵ mbar – high vacuum.
  • Turbo pumpFor this vacuum, Edwards names a turbo pump; it needs a backing pump that lowers the pressure beforehand and takes over its exhaust gas.
  • Pfeiffer seriesFor diagnostic imaging, Pfeiffer Vacuum names the DuoVane oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump and the HiScroll scroll vacuum pump, also in the product finder.
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  • Air and gas (vacuum)
  • Exhaust

Operating principle

How it works: Medical imaging (MRI)

The drawing shows the basic principle in section. The systems and pumps of the individual manufacturers differ in detail.

  1. Pre-evacuationThe backing pump lowers the pressure in the insulation space of the cryostat. For diagnostic imaging, Pfeiffer Vacuum names DuoVane and HiScroll.
  2. High vacuumThe high vacuum pump – according to Edwards a turbo pump – brings the insulation space down to below 10⁻⁵ mbar.
  3. HoldingThe valve is closed and the pressure measurement monitors the insulation vacuum. Without gas in the insulation space, heat is kept away from the magnet.

Vacuum and sizing

Medical imaging (MRI): how much vacuum is needed

What the manufacturers say about pressure, pumping speed and sizing.

Which vacuum

For the insulation vacuum of the MRI magnet, Edwards names below 10⁻⁵ mbar, i.e. high vacuum.

Which pumps

For below 10⁻⁵ mbar, Edwards names a turbo pump; we do not carry a series for it. As vacuum pumps for diagnostic imaging, Pfeiffer Vacuum names DuoVane (oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump) and HiScroll (oil-free scroll vacuum pump).

Technology

Medical imaging (MRI): the vacuum pumps the manufacturers name

Listed are the series the manufacturer itself names for this application. “Show only …” sets the filter of the product overview.

Edwards names the application without naming a series for it.

Product overview

Medical imaging (MRI): all 16 models compared

Use the filters on the left to narrow the selection – by manufacturer, technology and the models’ key figures, for 50 or 60 Hz.

DuoVane series 12 models

DuoVane 1.6Pumping speed 1.25 m³/h 50 Hz1.5 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.075 kW 50 Hz0.09 kW 60 HzVariants 9
DuoVane 3Pumping speed 2.5 m³/h 50 Hz2.9 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.25 kW 50 Hz0.3 kW 60 HzVariants 10
DuoVane 6Pumping speed 5.5 m³/h 50 Hz6.5 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 2
DuoVane 12Pumping speed 9.5 m³/h 50 Hz11.8 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 5
DuoVane 18Pumping speed 14 m³/h 50 Hz16.9 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.55 kW 50 Hz0.66 kW 60 HzVariants 2
DuoVane 22Pumping speed 19.5 m³/h 50 Hz22.5 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.55 kW 50 Hz0.66 kW 60 HzVariants 5
DuoVane 30Pumping speed 24 m³/h 50 Hz29 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 6.7 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.5 kW 60 HzVariants 1
DuoVane 36Pumping speed 32 m³/h 50 Hz36 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 1.1 kW 50 Hz1.3 kW 60 HzVariants 11
DuoVane 70Pumping speed 62 m³/h 50 Hz70 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.8 kW 60 HzVariants 13
DuoVane 95Pumping speed 80 m³/h 50 Hz95 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 6.7 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 3.7 kW 50 Hz3.7 kW 60 HzVariants 1
DuoVane 135Pumping speed 115 m³/h 50 Hz135 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.5 kW 60 HzVariants 3
DuoVane 300Pumping speed 250 m³/h 50 Hz300 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz9 kW 60 HzVariants 3

HiScroll series 4 models

HiScroll 6Pumping speed 6.1 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 0.015 mbarRated motor power Variants 7
HiScroll 12Pumping speed 12.1 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 6 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power Variants 7
HiScroll 18Pumping speed 18.1 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 6 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power Variants 11
HiScroll 46Pumping speed 43 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 7 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power Variants 11

Model comparison

Models a manufacturer no longer carries in its current range are listed in its “Outdated models” section.

Industries

Medical imaging (MRI): where the manufacturers name it

The manufacturers list these uses on their own pages.

Medical and healthcare

Pfeiffer Vacuum names diagnostic imaging with the DuoVane and HiScroll series for the medical and healthcare sector, without describing the process.

Industry page: Medical and healthcare →

Research, laboratory and analytics

In its knowledge article on vacuum technology in medical analysis, Edwards describes the insulation vacuum of the MRI magnet below 10⁻⁵ mbar with a turbo pump.

Industry page: Research, laboratory and analytics →

Frequently asked questions

Medical imaging (MRI): frequently asked questions

Why does an MRI scanner need a vacuum?

To insulate the magnet. Edwards describes the insulation vacuum around the MRI magnet: without gas in the insulation space there is no heat conduction and no convection, and heat from outside is kept away from the magnet.

How much vacuum does the MRI magnet need?

For the insulation vacuum, Edwards names below 10⁻⁵ mbar, i.e. high vacuum. According to Edwards, it is generated with a turbo pump.

Which vacuum pump for medical imaging?

For diagnostic imaging, Pfeiffer Vacuum names the DuoVane and HiScroll series (in the product finder). For the insulation vacuum of the MRI scanner, Edwards names a turbo pump, which needs a backing pump; we do not carry a turbo pump series.

Oil-free or oil-lubricated for MRI?

Pfeiffer Vacuum names both: DuoVane is an oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump, HiScroll an oil-free scroll vacuum pump. Which one is used depends on the device and its pumping station.

How does an insulation vacuum work?

Heat travels through gas by conduction and convection. If the gas between the outer wall and the magnet is pumped out, this path disappears and the magnet stays isolated from the heat of its surroundings. Edwards names below 10⁻⁵ mbar for this.

Why a turbo pump for MRI?

Because a pressure below 10⁻⁵ mbar is high vacuum, which according to Edwards is reached with a turbo pump. Turbo pumps do not pump against atmospheric pressure; a backing pump lowers the pressure beforehand and takes over the exhaust gas of the turbo pump.

What does 10⁻⁵ mbar mean?

10⁻⁵ mbar is one hundred-thousandth of a millibar – the high vacuum range. Edwards names this pressure for the insulation vacuum of the MRI magnet.

Does this also apply to other imaging devices?

Pfeiffer Vacuum names diagnostic imaging in general, without describing individual devices; Edwards describes MRI.

A single pump or a central vacuum system?

A central system in a room of its own keeps noise and heat away from production and matches its output to the demand. Central vacuum systems are planned and built by Eugen Theis Vakuum, a company of the Ehrler & Beck group – more under Central Vacuum.

Does Ehrler & Beck also supply spare parts and service?

Yes. Ehrler & Beck offers original spare parts and accessories as well as maintenance and repair.

Which pump suits your process?

Tell us the application, the medium and the volume – we advise you on selection, spare parts and service.

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