Polarean Imaging PLC (AIM:POLX, OTC:PLLWF) has cleared a key hurdle in its push to expand the reach of its Xenon-based lung scans, after its dedicated chest coil passed compatibility testing with Philips’ latest magnetic resonance imaging systems.
The company said Philips had completed its own validation of the XENOVIEW 3T Chest Coil, which was cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration last year.
The green light means the device can be used on Philips’ upcoming 3.0-tesla scanners from early 2026, including the MR 7700 and Ingenia Elition X ranges.
A tesla is the unit used to describe the strength of the magnetic field inside an MRI scanner: higher strength typically allows sharper images and shorter scan times.
Polarean specialises in functional MRI of the lungs. Instead of producing anatomical pictures, functional MRI can show how air moves through the lungs.
The company uses xenon gas (an inert, heavier-than-air gas), which patients inhale before scanning. This allows hospitals to see ventilation problems that may not show up on standard imaging.
Philips first introduced compatibility for Xenon MRI on its MR 7700 scanner in 2022. Polarean said the addition of its chest coil now extends that capability across more of Philips’ installed base, potentially opening the way for wider clinical use.
The coil is a key part of the system because it receives the signal generated by the xenon gas inside the lungs, turning it into usable images.
The company said the confirmation by Philips was an important step towards broader adoption, supporting “advanced functional lung ventilation imaging” and helping more sites incorporate non-invasive, quantitative assessments of lung function into everyday practice.
It added that the milestone would support efforts to grow revenue once integration begins.
Christopher von Jako, Polarean’s chief executive, said: “This milestone marks another important advancement in our vision to optimise lung health and prevent avoidable loss by illuminating hidden disease.
"Compatibility with Philips' state-of-the-art MRI platforms greatly broadens the accessibility of Xenon MRI and will help more hospitals and imaging centres adopt this powerful technology.
"Equally significant, our FDA-cleared coil's seamless integration with Philips systems positions us to drive adoption by reducing workflow complexity for clinicians, accelerating market penetration and unlocking growth opportunities.”