Patient resources

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exam provides a wealth of information to your child’s pediatrician. Yet when your child is unaware of the challenges an MRI exam presents, the procedure can be stressful.

Tapping into the wonderment of this new experience, the Philips Scan Buddy app¹ engages your child on his/her level with an easy-to-enjoy cartoon world of scan buddies, so they can undergo the MRI exam with confidence. The app offers a positive distraction for your child to help them feel more in control. Meet the scan buddies. Enjoy the game!

The Scan Buddy app¹ is a fun mobile app that helps both you and your child become familiar with the MRI procedure in a playful way. Team up with Ollie and friends to find educational videos and games that help you and your child understand the workings of the MRI scanner and the scan process itself. The Scan Buddy app is part of the Pediatric Coaching solution² and a code is provided by your healthcare provider to guide you through the upcoming examination (to play the app, please enter the code you received from your hospital. The app is available in 25 languages.

The Scan Buddy app consists of 4 modules to help you and your child to get familiar with the MRI journey. The app is a 'gamified' app for Apple³ and Android⁴ devices containing an educational video and games to help children familiarize themselves with the MRI scanner. Lovable Scan Buddy characters playfully guide your child through the MRI scan journey.

Here, your child helps their favorite Scan Buddy with their MRI scan. First your child removes metal items from the buddy. Once buddy’s on the MRI table, your child will identify the right equipment for the scan such as earplugs, headphones and head coil. As the table slides into the bore, your child must keep their phone or tablet still to help the buddy lie still. While your child practices this, they will hear the MRI sounds.

Your child will discover the MRI scanner and walk around it using AR. While this is happening, the scanner becomes see-through, and he/she discovers what it looks like when there is someone in the scanner. The exploration of the MRI scanner is further encouraged with a sticker hunt. Each sticker unlocks additional educational material to further de-mystify the machine and process.

The educational section of this module provides general information about MRI scans to you as a parent/caregiver, including what it is, why it’s needed and how it works. The skills section contains some exercises you can do with your child to further familiarize them with what to expect for an MRI scan – in a manner that fits the age of your child.

If your question is not on this page, please send an e-mail to scanbuddy@philips.com for questions about the Scan Buddy app. The Pediatric Coaching support team will assist you further.