Aluminum Alloy Non Magnetic Wheelchair with Adjustable And Removable Footrest Lightweight Mobility Solution for MRI

The Power-Assisted Non-Magnetic MRI Wheelchair combines the maneuverability of a manual wheelchair with the propulsion assistance of electric motors. The chair is equipped with two brushless DC motors (non-magnetic, using ceramic magnets) mounted in the hubs of the rear wheels. The motors provide power assistance when the user pushes the push rims – the harder the user pushes, the more assistance the motors provide, up to a maximum of 250 watts per wheel. The system is controlled by a torque sensor in the wheel hub that measures the force applied by the user. The battery pack (lithium-ion, non-magnetic) is mounted under the seat and can be removed for charging. The entire electrical system has been shielded and tested to ensure it does not interfere with MRI operations when used outside the 5-gauss line.

This wheelchair is designed for patients with upper body weakness or fatigue who cannot propel a manual wheelchair over long distances but do not want or need a full-power wheelchair. In the MRI setting, these patients may need to travel from a hospital ward to the MRI suite – a distance that can be several hundred yards in a large medical center. The power assistance reduces the physical effort required, allowing the patient to arrive at the MRI suite without being exhausted. The chair is also useful for caregivers who would otherwise need to push the patient; the power assistance makes the chair easier to push, reducing caregiver strain. The chair can be used in manual mode (with motors disengaged) for short distances or when the battery is depleted.