Europe's first uMR Jupiter 5 Tesla MRI scaner opens new possibilities for complex cases

Image courtesy of HT Medica

 

Rotterdam, The Netherlands – 29 September 2026 – HT Médica and San Rafael University Hospital in Madrid, Spain, have officially opened Europe's first 5 Tesla MRI unit, using United Imaging Healthcare's UMI Jupiter 5T MRI. The opening ceremony on 28 September was attended by Ms Fátima Matute, Regional Minister for Health of the Community of Madrid, together with representatives from HT Médica, San Rafael University Hospital, Order de San Juan de Dios, APR Salud and United Imaging Healthcare Europe. The milestone follows the partnership announced at RSNA 2025 and enables the human body to be examined with a level of spatial resolution, anatomical details and tissue characterisation previously unavailable in Europe.

 

Ms Fátima Matute, Madrid Regional Ministry of Health:

"We want this to be the first of many, and we will do so without hesitation, with complete clarity and transparency. Because good healthcare is not about labels; it's about results"

 

More signal, more clinical information

The uMR Jupiter 5T is an ultra-high-field MRI system designed for whole-body use.

According to Dr Antonio Luna Alcalá, Scientific Director of HT Médica: "The arrival of 5T MRI represents a qualitative change and not merely an incremental improvement in imaging. The aim is not to obtain more spectacular images, but to harness this greater capacity to detect more subtle lesions, characterise tissues more accurately, understand the disease with greater precision and help inform clinical decision-making."

 

The uMR Jupiter 5T higher field strength increases the signal-to-noise ratio: the amount of useful information in an image relative to background noise. Depending on the clinical question, this additional signal can be used to increase spatial resolution, improve anatomical definition, characterise tissue in more detail or, in certain cases, shorten scan times.

 

Clinical priorities

The Unit will focus first on neurology, where diagnosis often depends on small structures and subtle abnormalities, and will extend to whole-body imaging, including:

  • Refractory epilepsy in patients whose 3T MRI scan has not identified a structural lesion
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson's disease, cognitive impairment and dementia
  • Musculoskeletal imaging of cartilage, muscle, tendons, joints and peripheral nerves
  • Cardiovascular and vascular imaging
  • Abdominal, pelvic, prostate, gynaecological and oncological imaging

The new technology offers clinicians broader diagnostic possibilities. As Ms Fátima Matute, Madrid Regional Ministry of Health, stated, "This technology does indeed mean more information, but above all it means better decisions, earlier diagnoses and more personalised treatments."

 

AI across the imaging workflow

Through the partnership, HT Médica has access to the uAI platform from United Imaging Intelligence, which includes 31 CE-marked AI applications. The applications are designed to support each stage of the imaging workflow and to help radiologists achieve accurate results more efficiently.

 

Integrated into hospital care

The Unit combines HT Médica's radiology model, subspecialised by organ and system, with the clinical environment of San Rafael University Hospital, where specialists share information about each patient so that imaging findings inform diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

César Téllez, Managing Director of San Rafael University Hospital, said: "The introduction of the 5T MRI scanner reinforces our commitment to innovation and research, but, above all, to translating these advances into clinical practice. As a hospital belonging to the Order of St John of God in Spain, we view technology as a tool at the service of people and of increasingly precise, humane and personalised care. This new capability enables us to identify findings that until now might have gone unnoticed and, in certain cases, to provide the information needed to reach diagnoses that were previously impossible to establish."

With support from HT Medica, San Rafael University Hospital, and the Order of Saint John of God, this new technology will bring better imaging diagnostics to Madrid's community.

 

Generating evidence and expanding collaboration

HT Médica is already validating results and exchanging experience with international groups that use this technology. The goal is to build evidence on where 5T MRI adds clinical value and to open new opportunities for clinical research with medical and surgical specialists.

Prof. Qun Chen, President of United Imaging Healthcare Europe, said:

"This collaboration between United Imaging and the clinical experts at this centre will not only improve medical diagnosis, but also drive new scientific discoveries."

 

For more information

About HT Médica

HT Médica is a Spanish healthcare group specializing in medical imaging and anatomical pathology, with more than 50 years of experience and over 40 centres across Spain. Its work combines medical excellence, research, innovation and cutting-edge technology, with a strong commitment to advancing diagnostic capabilities and bringing advanced solutions into clinical practice.

With a strong community of medical and scientific professionals, HT Médica is committed to advancing more precise, sophisticated and personalized diagnostic medicine, placing knowledge and innovation at the service of patients.

 

Read more: www.htmedica.com

 

About San Rafael University Hospital

Hospital Universitario San Rafael, part of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is a non-profit medical and surgical hospital providing comprehensive care to both children and adults through private, publicly funded and social welfare services. Its work is centred on personalised and compassionate care, guided by the values of hospitality and social commitment, complemented by a strong focus on teaching and research in the Health Sciences.

 

Read more: hospitalsanrafael.es/

 

About APR Salud

APR Salud has more than 25 years of experience working in healthcare technology, with a focus on diagnostic imaging. It is the exclusive distributor in Spain of five international brands, United Imaging, Samsung Healthcare, Spectrum Dynamics, Positrigo and Hermes Medical Solutions, and today serves more than 1,100 hospitals and healthcare centres across the country. The company supports its clients from initial consultation through installation, clinical staff training, and technical equipment maintenance.


Read more: aprsalud.com

 

About United Imaging Healthcare

United Imaging Healthcare is a global innovator in advanced medical imaging technologies and intelligent healthcare solutions, with native AI embedded across their portfolio to deliver real clinical impact at scale. The company develops advanced imaging, radiotherapy and digital technologies designed to support clinical decision-making and expand access to high-quality care worldwide. This includes state-of-the-art solutions for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Molecular Imaging (PET/CT and PET/MR), Digital Radiography (including mammography and mobile C-arm solutions), as well as advanced medical imaging software.


To learn more, visit United-Imaging: United Medical Imaging Healthcare Innovator or follow United Imaging Healthcare Europe on LinkedIn.

 

United Imaging Healthcare Europe - media contact: Gona Aziz - Email: gona.aziz@united-imaging.com - Mobile: +31 6 192 320 89