As a rare inert gas, medical helium has the characteristics of low density, low solubility and high thermal conductivity. It is increasingly used in medical treatment. Let’s find out the role of medical helium and what medical procedures need helium.
Medical helium is a rare, non-toxic and non-flammable inert gas with extremely stable chemical and physical properties. It is difficult to react with gas elements, making it a must-have gas for medical magnetic resonance imagery (MRI) equipment. Medical helium can be used to enable medical equipment running and can also be used in medical experiments.
Medical helium can usually be divided into two types: liquid helium and gas helium. Gas helium is used as an auxiliary gas in medical treatment, such as assisting human breathing in respiratory diseases. However, liquid helium is used in medical equipment to stabilize magnetic fields and maintain low temperatures.
Due to the inherent inert gas properties of helium make it ideal for medical applications. Its inert nature ensures that it does not react with other elements. Additionally, the low density makes helium gas easy to penetrate small spaces, making it useful in leak detection and other purposes. What’s more Helium’s low-temperature properties make it a refrigerant for cooling superconducting magnets and other devices that require extremely low temperatures. The following is the features of medical helium：
• Colourless,odourless and tasteless
• Superconducting properties up to +452.10F and melting points under-458.10F
• Ultra-high thermal conductivity
• Not supporting combustion
• Low density than 0.1786 kg / m³
• Available in gaseous and liquid
Helium Transportation
The Application of Helium in Medical Procedures
Medical liquid helium is the cooling element for nuclear magnetic imaging in magnetic resonance equipment. Superconducting magnets are composed of many coils and generate a magnetic field of up to 2.0 Tesla during operation. The ultra-low boiling point of liquid helium makes it an ideal refrigerant for nuclear magnetic resonance equipment.
When a superconducting magnet is cooled to its superconducting state, electric current can flow in it without loss. By passing an electric current through a superconducting magnet, a strong magnetic field can be generated. This magnetic field can induce hydrogen atoms in the human body to emit signals, which are received by MRI equipment and processed into images. A strong magnetic field is the key to MRI equipment being able to capture the tiny structures and details inside the human body.
Helium gas is the lightest noble gas,which is 86% dense than room air and 8 times less than oxygen. The flow of gas depends on the density and viscosity of the elements in the gas mixture. Low-density helium mixed with oxygen into the human body can more easily penetrate small airways and promote gas flow through the lungs and capillaries. This can significantly reduce the symptoms of dyspnea and airway spasm for patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, helium serves as a alternative of carbon dioxide, prevents respiratory acidosis.
Helium ions are not prone to chemical reactions with surrounding substances, which have strong penetrating ability and low scattering effects. Medical microscopes can achieve sub-nanometer resolution. This high resolution allows doctors to observe extremely fine membrane texture structures in biological samples, such as viruses, protein complexes, etc., providing unprecedented detail and precision for biomedical research.
What’s more, compared to traditional electron microscopes, helium ion microscopes do not require a conductive layer when observing biological samples, which simplify the sample preparation process.This is because the interaction between the helium ion beam and the sample surface is weak and does not easily produce a charging effect. This feature allows helium ion microscopy to directly observe untreated biological samples, avoiding the possible effects of coatings on the samples.
In order to enable you use helium safely and efficiently, the following precautions need to draw your attention:
• Use special cylinders with good sealing properties and ensure that these containers meet safety standards.
• The container should be kept stable during transportation and kept away from sources of fire and heat.
• Regularly check gas lines and connections to prevent helium leaks.
• Operators should wear protective equipment, such as protective glasses, gloves, etc.
• Make sure the area of use is well ventilated to prevent helium accumulation.
• Operators should be professionally trained and strictly abide by the operating procedures.
• Waste liquid helium should be treated in accordance with environmental protection requirements to avoid environmental pollution
Fullcryo helium manufacturing
Available and Reliable Helium Supplier
When it comes to sourcing helium, Fullcryo stands out as a trusted and reliable supplier. With 8 years of experience in the helium industry, Fullcryo offers a comprehensive range of services, from production and purification to packaging, delivery and after-sales service. Additionally, helium refrigeration units and cryogenic equipment are also available in our factory. The company’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures that you receive the highest-grade helium available. Fullcryo’s dedicated team of experts is always available to provide personalized solutions to meet your specific needs.
Each type of medical helium has its own application system and packaging mode of transportation. If you are looking for get more technology information about helium, feel free to contact us today.
