MRI Coil Repair: Evaluating Failures, Repair Options, and Replacement Costs

Can a Damaged MRI Coil Be Repaired?

Many MRI coil failures can be repaired, including certain cable, connector, electronic component, and internal circuitry faults. Specialized MRI coil repair can address individual failed components or larger assemblies, depending on the coil's design, extent of damage, and ability to meet applicable performance requirements after service.

Replacing an MRI coil can cost $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the model. Before approving replacement, healthcare technology management (HTM) teams should determine whether the failure can be isolated and whether repair offers a practical alternative.

MRI Coil Failure Diagnosis and Component Level Repair

Innovatus Imaging has completed more than 50,000 MRI coil repairs across more than 1,000 makes and models. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience, its engineering teams develop proprietary diagnostics and model-specific repair procedures for complex coil technologies.


MRI coil failures may appear as signal loss, image artifacts, communication errors, or unsuccessful quality-control testing. These symptoms can result from several different problems, and the reported symptom does not necessarily identify the failed component.


Cable assemblies, connectors, electronics, and internal circuitry can deteriorate through repeated handling, routine wear, or accidental damage.


In an Innovatus Imaging analysis of more than 3,600 MRI coil repairs over a two-year period, approximately 52% of failures were associated with preventable damage or trauma.


Identifying the reported failure is only part of a comprehensive repair evaluation. Additional faults or component deterioration may exist elsewhere in the coil, even when they have not yet produced noticeable symptoms.


Innovatus uses electrical analysis and stress testing to evaluate the reported failure and identify additional problems that may affect coil performance. This helps determine whether an isolated component repair or more extensive restoration is appropriate.


Document the coil model, reported symptoms, visible damage, and previous repairs before submitting it for evaluation.

MRI coil evaluation and repair

Philips dStream Fiber-Optic Diagnostics and Repair

Philips dStream coils digitize MRI signals within the coil and transmit data through fiber-optic connections. Failures involving these systems require diagnostics suited to their optical and electronic architecture.


Innovatus has developed proprietary diagnostic equipment for dStream fiber-optic systems, along with capabilities for system cable replacement and component-level electrical and mechanical repair.


When diagnostics identify a serviceable cable or component failure, these capabilities may eliminate the need to replace the complete coil.

GE AIR Flexible-Circuit Repair

GE AIR coils use lightweight, flexible construction designed to conform to patient anatomy. Repeated movement during clinical use can contribute to wear within their flexible circuits.

While point-of-failure repair addresses the identified failed circuit, Innovatus also offers comprehensive preventive repair that replaces all flexible circuits, including those that have not failed.

Replacing all flexible circuits addresses existing wear across the assembly and reduces reliance on circuits that may already be deteriorating.

For a more detailed examination of both technologies, read Philips dStream and GE AIR Coil Repair.

MRI Coil Repair Costs, OEM Coverage, and Downtime

MRI coil repair can cost substantially less than replacement when the failure involves serviceable components. Actual savings depend on the repair scope, replacement price, and whether the coil is covered under an OEM service agreement.


For certain Philips dStream repairs, Innovatus has reported costs equivalent to approximately 5–10% of complete coil replacement, depending on the failure and repair scope.


Many healthcare organizations maintain OEM service agreements that include MRI coil coverage. If replacement is covered, the coil's purchase price may not represent an additional expense to the facility.


However, coverage provisions vary. Failures attributed to preventable damage, physical trauma, or other exclusions may result in additional charges or require an alternative service option.


Before approving repair or replacement, HTM teams should confirm:

  • Whether the specific coil and failure are covered under the OEM agreement.
  • Whether independent repair is permitted.
  • The scope and cost of the proposed repair.
  • Expected turnaround and shipping requirements.
  • Availability of compatible loaner or exchange equipment.

Equipment availability can also influence the financial decision. When a failed coil affects scheduled examinations, access to a compatible loaner or expedited repair may help maintain scanner availability.


Innovatus offers MRI coil loaners and RapidRepair services, with qualifying repairs available as quickly as the next business day. Actual turnaround and loaner availability depend on the coil model and service requirements.


Learn more about MRI Coil Repair & Loaners.

MRI Coil Repair Testing and Service Documentation

A successful repair must restore the coil to applicable performance requirements, not simply eliminate the reported symptom.


The appropriate testing depends on the coil architecture and the components serviced. Philips dStream repairs may require evaluation of optical and electronic communication systems, while GE AIR repairs require verification of the serviced circuitry and coil performance.

HTM teams should request documentation identifying:

  • The diagnosed failure and components affected.
  • Components repaired or replaced.
  • Performance testing completed.
  • Applicable acceptance criteria.
  • Warranty coverage and service documentation.

Innovatus applies its OEM manufacturing and engineering experience to component-level repair, proprietary diagnostic development, and model-specific testing.


Its repair operations follow an ISO 13485:2016-certified quality management system, supporting documented processes and performance verification.


For additional information about failure mechanisms, read Common MRI Coil Failures.

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Request an MRI Coil Repair Evaluation

Innovatus Imaging evaluates MRI coil failures using model-specific diagnostics, component-level repair capabilities, and performance testing.

Contact our team to discuss repair options, turnaround, and loaner availability for your coil.

Request an MRI coil evaluation
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