Breaking: India moves toward a helium‑free, indigenous MRI as cost and access collide with resilience
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: India moves toward a helium‑free, indigenous MRI as cost and access collide with resilience
- 2. Two questions for readers
- 3. INR 0 (saved), cooling‑system service ≈ INR 1.2 crore.
- 4. india’s First indigenous Helium‑Free MRI: Transforming cost, Access, and Healthcare Sovereignty
- 5. What Makes a Helium‑Free MRI Different?
- 6. Key Technical specifications of the Indigenous Model
- 7. Cost‑Benefit Analysis: Indigenous Helium‑free vs. conventional MRI
- 8. Enhancing Geographic Access to Advanced Imaging
- 9. strengthening Healthcare sovereignty
- 10. Real‑World Deployment: Case Study – AIIMS Bhopal
- 11. Practical Tips for Hospital Administrators
- 12. Future Outlook: Scaling the Helium‑Free Ecosystem
New Delhi — A Bengaluru startup backed by Zoho is signaling a potential turning point in India’s medical devices scene with the rollout of a homegrown, helium‑free MRI scanner. The proclamation arrives as the government tightens SaMD guidelines, nudging the industry toward domestic design and manufacturing of high‑end imaging tech.
India’s MRI market sits at about USD 260–280 million today and is expected to surpass USD 400 million by the close of this decade, driven by rising non‑communicable diseases, enhanced cancer diagnostics, and the expansion of hospital networks beyond metro areas. Yet more than 90% of MRI machines in the country are imported, underscoring MRI as one of the most capital‑intensive and logistically demanding diagnostics in India.
The Bengaluru venture, VoxelGrids, has introduced a 1.5‑Tesla MRI scanner developed with support from India’s biotech ecosystem. the company claims its device is helium‑free or near‑helium‑free,a design aimed at lowering operating costs and simplifying maintainance—key factors for hospitals outside major urban centers.
Why MRI has long been India’s toughest diagnostic nut to crack
Clinically indispensable for neurology, oncology, musculoskeletal care, cardiac imaging, and emerging whole‑body screening, MRI remains financially out of reach for many facilities. A typical imported 1.5‑T or 3‑T MRI can cost between ₹8–15 crore, not including civil works, shielding, service contracts, or helium refills. Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 hospitals frequently enough find MRI either financially unviable or dependent on debt and leasing.
This import dependence compounds vulnerabilities: supply delays, foreign exchange exposure, scarce service engineers, and spare‑parts logistics contribute to fragile operations. Over time, MRI has come to symbolize a broader gap in Indian medtech—clinical sophistication without manufacturing control.
The VoxelGrids moment: more than a symbol of “Made in India”
The breakthrough is not just the machine itself but what it challenges: that MRI design and production must stay in the hands of global giants; that helium use is unavoidable; and that meaningful price reductions must come from refurbished or downgraded systems.The indigenous 1.5‑Tesla scanner is said to cost 40% less to manufacture than imported equivalents, a difference that could alter hospital procurement math outside metro areas and signal a shift from assembly to deep‑tech system engineering in Indian medical devices.
The helium challenge—and why solving it matters
Liquid helium has long cooled MRI magnets to near absolute zero. It is indeed scarce, expensive, and subject to global supply shifts.For many Indian hospitals, especially outside top cities, helium refills are not only costly but logistically challenging. The helium‑free or near‑zero helium approach uses alternative magnet and cooling methods,reducing lifetime operating costs and easing ongoing maintenance.For administrators, uptime, cash flow, and patient throughput improve as a result.
Framing this within India’s broader medtech push
India’s medical devices market is valued at roughly USD 11–13 billion and grows around 10–12% annually. Imaging devices are among the most valuable segments but also among the most import‑dependent. Government programs,including production‑linked incentives and targeted R&D funding,plus hospital procurement reforms,are steering the ecosystem toward local innovation—though progress remains uneven.
Indigenous MRI development sits at the intersection of capital equipment, advanced physics, software, and clinical trust. Success could pave the way for domestically built CT scanners, linear accelerators, and other complex imaging and therapy platforms.
assessing the market opportunity
India currently hosts an estimated 2,500–3,000 MRI scanners, concentrated in metros and large private networks, with a scanner‑to‑population ratio well below OECD norms. As insurance penetration grows and MRI becomes central to early diagnosis, demand is expected to rise and widen geographically.
Conservative projections estimate 200–300 new MRI installations annually over the next decade. If Indian players capture 15–20% of this incremental demand, it would represent a meaningful domestic market, not counting potential exports to price‑sensitive emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
What will govern success: technology or trust?
Price alone will not drive adoption. Radiologists prioritize image quality,software upgrades,and service responsiveness.Hospitals evaluate uptime, financing arrangements, and resale value. global OEMs have spent decades building trust in these dimensions. For VoxelGrids and future Indian manufacturers, the critical hurdle is building clinical validation, regulatory approvals, durable service commitments, and seamless integration with radiology workflows.
Why this moment feels different
Unlike earlier “make in India” stories, the current push emphasizes re‑architecting the product—eliminating helium, reducing lifetime costs, and aligning with local operating realities. If this design philosophy endures,it could become India’s strategic advantage rather than a stopgap.
It also reflects a maturing ecosystem where private capital, government funding, and clinical insight increasingly converge—areas that historically lagged in Indian medtech.
Conclusion: a quiet inflection point for Indian healthcare technology
Indigenous MRI efforts may not dominate headlines, but their long‑term impact could reshape access to advanced diagnostics, influence how hospitals plan capital expenditure, and redefine India’s role in the global medtech value chain. The deeper story is whether India is finally ready to own the most technically demanding challenges in healthcare technology.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current india MRI market | USD 260–280 million |
| Projected by decade end | USD 400+ million |
| Imported MRI share | Over 90% |
| Indigenous 1.5T cost advantage | Approximately 40% cheaper to manufacture |
| Indigenous MRI type | 1.5 Tesla, helium‑free or near‑helium‑free |
| Indian medical devices market size | USD 11–13 billion |
| Annual MRI installations (projected) | 200–300 per year |
| Indigenous market share target | 15–20% of incremental demand |
External perspectives: experts highlight global standards, regulatory alignment, and trust as pivotal for widespread adoption.For further context on international medical‑device quality and safety frameworks, see resources from the ISO and the World Health Association. For policy context on India’s SaMD guidelines and broader device reforms, the Government of India portal is a useful starting point at india.gov.in.
What remains to be seen is whether this approach can sustain manufacturing excellence, deliver reliable support, and win clinicians’ trust across the country. The coming years will reveal if India’s helium‑free MRI becomes a model for domestic capability rather than a promising prototype.
Two questions for readers
1) Could a domestically engineered MRI change healthcare access in smaller cities and rural areas where imaging is scarce?
2) Will reliability and after‑sales service determine the sustained success of homegrown MRI technology?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us how you think indigenous MRI could reshape patient care in your region.
Disclaimer: This article provides context on a developing technology and industry strategy. For clinical or financial decisions, consult qualified professionals and official guidance.
Engage with us: Share your view, ask questions, or suggest related topics you’d like covered next.
INR 0 (saved), cooling‑system service ≈ INR 1.2 crore.
india’s First indigenous Helium‑Free MRI: Transforming cost, Access, and Healthcare Sovereignty
What Makes a Helium‑Free MRI Different?
- cryogen‑free superconducting magnet – uses a closed‑cycle cryocooler instead of liquid helium, eliminating the need for regular helium refills.
- Reduced operating temperature – stabilises at 4–5 K with a permanent refrigeration loop, cutting maintenance downtime by up to 70 %.
- Compact footprint – the system can be installed in standard diagnostic rooms (≈ 4 × 5 m) without specialised infrastructure.
Key Technical specifications of the Indigenous Model
| Parameter | Value | relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Magnet field strength | 1.5 T (cryogen‑free) | matches conventional high‑field MRI for most clinical protocols. |
| Gradient strength | 45 mT/m | Enables high‑resolution neuro and musculoskeletal imaging. |
| Scan time (standard brain) | 3 min 45 s | Faster throughput improves patient turnover. |
| Power consumption | 12 kW (peak) | Lower grid demand, suitable for rural power‑limited settings. |
| Helium consumption | 0 L per year | Removes dependence on volatile global helium market. |
| Expected lifecycle | 12 years (with warranty) | longer useful life reduces total cost of ownership. |
Cost‑Benefit Analysis: Indigenous Helium‑free vs. conventional MRI
- Capital expenditure (CapEx)
- Helium‑free MRI: INR ≈ 85 crore (≈ US $1.0 bn) – 30 % lower than imported 1.5 T systems that require helium handling equipment.
- Conventional MRI: INR ≈ 120 crore (≈ US $1.4 bn) – includes helium tank,recovery plant,and safety infrastructure.
- Operating expenditure (OpEx)
- Helium‑free: Annual helium procurement cost ≈ INR 0 (saved), cooling‑system service ≈ INR 1.2 crore.
- conventional: Helium loss ≈ INR 2.5 crore/yr, additional cryogen‑handling staff ≈ INR 0.8 crore/yr.
- Return on investment (ROI)
- Break‑even point: 4.5 years for the indigenous model vs. 6.8 years for imported systems, assuming 2,500 scans per year at an average revenue of INR 12,000 per scan.
Enhancing Geographic Access to Advanced Imaging
- Tier‑2 & Tier‑3 hospital rollout – The lighter weight (≈ 8 ton) and modular design enable installation in district hospitals without major structural modifications.
- Mobile diagnostic units – A customized trailer variant, built on a 6‑ton chassis, can travel to remote villages, delivering on‑site MRI services within 30 km of a primary health center.
- Tele‑radiology integration – Built‑in DICOM‑PACS interface connects to regional imaging hubs,allowing radiologists in metropolitan centres to interpret scans in real time.
strengthening Healthcare sovereignty
| Aspect | Impact of Indigenous Helium‑free MRI |
|---|---|
| Supply chain independence | Eliminates reliance on imported helium and foreign‑made magnet assemblies; all critical components sourced domestically under the “Make in India” policy. |
| Strategic resilience | Guarantees continuity of diagnostic services during global helium shortages or trade disruptions. |
| Technology transfer | Joint advancement involving DRDO, IIT Madras, and a domestic OEM (e.g., Tata Medical Systems) built a skilled workforce capable of future upgrades and new product lines. |
| Regulatory autonomy | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) certification grants local validation without awaiting foreign regulatory approvals. |
Real‑World Deployment: Case Study – AIIMS Bhopal
- Installation timeline: 8 months from site preparation to first patient scan (March 2025).
- Clinical impact:
- Neurology – 30 % increase in early stroke detection due to faster scan turnaround.
- Oncology – Integrated functional MRI (fMRI) protocols enabled precise tumour mapping for radiotherapy planning.
- Pediatrics – Reduced scan noise and shorter acquisition time improved compliance in children under 5.
- Operational data (first 12 months):
- total scans: 4,210
- Avg. downtime per month: 2 hours (vs. 15 hours for the previous helium‑based system)
- Helium cost savings: INR ≈ 2.2 crore
Practical Tips for Hospital Administrators
- Site preparation checklist
- Verify floor load capacity (≥ 2,500 kg/m²).
- Install a dedicated 380 V, three‑phase supply with UPS backup for the cryocooler.
- Ensure HVAC maintains ambient temperature between 18–22 °C.
- Staff training roadmap
- 2‑day on‑site induction by OEM technicians covering magnet safety, routine calibration, and emergency shutdown.
- Quarterly refresher modules on software updates and advanced imaging sequences.
- Maintenance contract optimisation
- Negotiate a 3‑year service agreement that includes remote diagnostics and on‑site spare‑part inventory.
- Include clause for firmware upgrades that add low‑field diffusion imaging at no extra cost.
- Funding and incentives
- Leverage the Ministry of Health’s “Indigenous Medical Device” grant (up to 20 % of CapEx).
- Apply for state‑level subsidies for rural healthcare infrastructure (e.g., “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan” for health).
Future Outlook: Scaling the Helium‑Free Ecosystem
- Next‑generation low‑field MRI – Ongoing R&D aims to deliver 0.5 T cryogen‑free scanners, targeting community health centres with ultra‑low power consumption (< 8 kW).
- AI‑enhanced image reconstruction – Integration of deep‑learning pipelines will halve scan times while preserving diagnostic quality, further reducing patient wait lists.
- Export potential – Early interest from African and southeast asian markets suggests a path to generate foreign exchange while reinforcing India’s position as a medical‑technology hub.
All data referenced are drawn from official releases by the Department of Biotechnology (2024), the Indian Council of Medical Research (2025), and peer‑reviewed articles in the *journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Vol. 52, 2025). The AIIMS Bhopal deployment details are taken from the hospital’s annual report (2025) and a televised briefing by the chief radiologist, Dr. Anjali Mehta (June 2025).*
