240 Kg Max Load 37.5 Kg Lightweight MRI Safe Non Magnetic Stretcher for Patient Transport

The MRI-Guided Intervention Stretcher is purpose-built for interventional MRI procedures such as biopsies, injections, and ablations. These procedures require absolute patient stability – any movement during needle guidance can result in misplaced instruments or injury to surrounding tissues. This stretcher provides four precision locking casters, a non-magnetic patient scale, and a rigid deck with fold-flat side rails, all while maintaining complete non-magnetic properties up to 3T.

Precision Locking Casters: The four precision locking casters are the defining feature of this stretcher. Each caster has two independent brakes: a directional lock that prevents swiveling but allows rolling straight, and a total lock that prevents both swiveling and rolling. The brakes are actuated by foot pedals that provide positive tactile feedback. The brake mechanisms are made of ceramic and plastic – no ferrous springs. The casters are 6 inches in diameter with conductive rubber treads and ceramic bearings.

Non-Magnetic Mechanical Scale: The stretcher includes a non-magnetic mechanical scale integrated into the deck. The scale is not electronic – it uses a spring and lever mechanism with no steel components. The spring is made of a nickel-titanium alloy (Nitinol) which is non-magnetic and has excellent elasticity. The scale is recessed into the deck so that it does not create a pressure point for the patient. The patient’s weight is displayed on a mechanical dial located at the foot end of the stretcher; the dial is readable from either side.

The scale has a capacity of 350 pounds, with graduations of 0.5 pounds. It is accurate to within 1 percent of reading. To use the scale, the patient is positioned on the stretcher and the staff member presses a zeroing button (mechanical, not electronic). The scale then displays the patient’s weight. The scale mechanism is completely self-contained and requires no batteries or external power. It can be calibrated in the field using standard calibration weights.

Rigid Carbon-Fiber Deck: The deck is a single-piece carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer with no moving parts. The rigidity of the deck is essential for interventional procedures – any flexing could cause the patient to shift position. The deck has a measured deflection of less than 0.05 inches under a 300-pound load distributed evenly. The deck surface is non-slip and fluid-proof, with no seams that could trap contaminants.

Fold-Flat Side Rails: Side rails fold completely flat against the deck when not needed, reducing the stretcher width to 24 inches for passage through the MRI bore. The rails are made of impact-resistant polymer and lock into place with non-metallic clips. When raised, the rails provide 4 inches of roll-off protection – less than standard stretchers, but sufficient for interventional use where the patient is typically awake and cooperative. The rails can support 50 pounds of lateral force.

Fixed Height: The deck height is fixed at 24 inches – the optimal height for alignment with most interventional MRI tables. A fixed height eliminates the complexity of hydraulic or gas spring mechanisms, which can be sources of patient movement. However, the stretcher can be ordered with a height-adjustable option if needed for specific MRI systems.

Clinical applications include MRI-guided prostate biopsy, liver ablation, breast biopsy, and brain tumor resection guidance. In these procedures, the patient is positioned on the stretcher and then moved into the bore. The precision locking casters ensure that the stretcher does not move during needle placement, which may be performed with the patient partially inside the bore. The integrated scale allows the anesthesiologist to monitor patient weight changes – important when large volumes of fluid are being infused or aspirated.

One interventional radiology department reported that using this stretcher reduced procedure time by an average of 15 minutes per case, primarily because the time previously spent ensuring the stretcher was locked and stable was eliminated. The department also reported zero patient movement incidents in 300 procedures, compared to 4 incidents in the 200 procedures before adopting this stretcher.

• Set of disposable drapes that fit the deck and scale dial (keeping the dial readable while maintaining sterility).
• Armboard that attaches to the side of the stretcher for positioning the patient’s arms away from the intervention site.
• Set of radiolucent positioning wedges for fine-tuning patient posture.
• Manufacturer provides a certificate of non-magnetic compliance for use up to 3T, as well as a separate certificate for the scale’s accuracy.