MRI Systems Market: Growth, Size, Share, and Trends

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are emerging as crucial factors in reshaping the MRI systems market by leveraging technological advancements, patient accessibility, and clinical impact. Recent global initiatives suggest that MRI’s upcoming phase will be driven not solely by technological advancement but by strategic collaborations with public health systems, which will help to create a growth-focused ecosystem. In 2023, Siemens Healthineers (Germany) partnered with SAMEER (Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research India) to develop low-cost MRI technology tailored to local needs. This initiative emphasizes energy efficiency and affordability, targeting deployment in underserved regions. As India looks to expand its digital health footprint, such collaborations set a precedent for co-developing MRI platforms in emerging economies, potentially expanding the addressable market for mid- and low-field MRI systems. Meanwhile, in Europe, the USD 6.8 million COMBINE-CT project—backed by the Innovative Health Initiative and led by Philips—demonstrates a new class of imaging-focused PPPs. Though focused on coronary CT, the initiative’s push for non-invasive diagnostics, AI-driven workflows, and cross-border clinical validation is a relevant blueprint for MRI’s evolution into a data-centric, decision-support tool. All such partnerships and collaborations between the public and private sectors aim to provide the accessibility of MRI to tier 2 and rural markets, as MRI imaging still faces a constraint of affordability. This will make the landscape for MRI systems more patient or consumer-centric while easing out the accessibility concerns that will help to grow the market for MRI systems around the globe

An MRI system is installed in a dedicated room, acquiring space in a facility. Many systems require liquid helium, posing supply chain and safety challenges. Helium-free systems are emerging slowly as key players are progressively moving towards launching new systems. But the end user healthcare infrastructure is still not adequately developed & equipped to support the working of such advanced systems. Another restraining factor for end-use consumers for MRI is power and cooling. MRI machines generate a significant amount of heat during operation. The powerful magnets require precise temperature control to function correctly. The system can overheat without adequate cooling, leading to decreased performance, increased downtime, and potentially costly repairs. The MRI units demand a stable high-voltage power supply and adequate cooling infrastructure. If the pre-requisite conditions are not provided, the MRI systems cannot perform/operate on the specifications they are designed for. Such conditions produce a downtime risk. Service interruptions can be costly. Regular servicing and the need for OEM-certified engineers make maintenance expensive

The MRI systems market is shifting in terms of design and features, with helium-free and helium-light MRI technologies emerging as a significant growth driver. This development is largely influenced by increasing operational costs, helium supply instability, and the healthcare sector’s growing focus on sustainability. Conventional MRI systems typically require over 1,000 liters of helium to cool superconducting magnets. However, global helium shortages—such as the Helium Shortage 4.0 reported by Gasworld—have led to price increases of up to 250%, disrupting imaging operations and increasing maintenance costs. Such challenges are particularly pressing for mid-sized hospitals and outpatient facilities with constrained budgets. In response, manufacturers like Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), Siemens Healthineers (Germany), and Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare Co., Ltd. (China) have launched MRI systems that require significantly less helium or are completely sealed. Philips’ BlueSeal technology, for example, uses less than 7 liters of helium in a zero-boil-off, sealed magnet configuration, eliminating the need for helium refills and reducing service complexity. Over 1,000 such systems had been installed globally by 2023. These innovations reduce the total cost of ownership and support environmental goals in terms of sustainability set by institutions like the NHS and U.S. HHS. Moreover, helium-free systems typically have a smaller footprint and simplified infrastructure requirements, allowing deployment in previously unsuitable locations such as ambulatory surgical centers and mobile units.

Limited capital budgets across healthcare providers like hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers, particularly in tier 2 or 3 cities or community hospitals and outpatient centers, have led to the extended use of MRI systems beyond their recommended operational warranty. The American College of Radiology suggests upgrading MRI equipment every 7 to 10 years; real-world usage frequently extends to 12–15 years due to fiscal limitations. A 2023 GE Healthcare report indicates that nearly 60% of mid-sized U.S. radiology departments have delayed MRI upgrades post-pandemic, prioritizing financial recovery over capital expenditure. As a result, aging MRI systems with lower signal-to-noise ratios and slower scan speeds remain in operation, potentially compromising image quality and diagnostic accuracy, particularly in complex neurological or oncological cases. Furthermore, legacy systems often lack compatibility with modern imaging advancements, such as AI-based reconstruction, compressed sensing, and advanced coil technologies. OEMs like Siemens and Philips have underscored that such limitations may reduce the clinical value of imaging, increase false negatives, and limit throughput