Non-Magnetic Aluminum Alloy MRI-Compatible Stretcher with 240 Kg Max Load for MRI and CT Scans

The MRI-Compatible Stretcher Chair is a convertible patient transport device that serves dual functions: an upright chair for patient comfort and mobility, and a flat stretcher for transport into the MRI bore. This versatility is particularly valuable for patients with claustrophobia, or mobility limitations who cannot lie flat during the approach to the scanner. The conversion mechanism uses a two-lever system with no ferromagnetic components, allowing a single staff member to transition between modes in under 10 seconds.

In chair mode, the device provides a seat height of 22 inches – comparable to a standard wheelchair – with the patient in an upright position. The backrest angle is adjustable from 90 degrees (fully upright) to 45 degrees (reclined) using a non-magnetic gas spring. The seat depth is 18 inches, and the seat width is 20 inches, accommodating most adults comfortably. Armrests are made of padded polyurethane and fold down completely for lateral patient transfer. A footrest deploys from the front of the chair and supports the patient’s lower legs in a relaxed position.

The chair mode is ideal for transporting patients from their hospital rooms to the MRI suite while they remain seated. This reduces anxiety for patients who find lying on a gurney distressing. It also allows patients to maintain eye contact with accompanying staff or family members during transport. The chair can be wheeled through standard doorways and into elevators without difficulty, as the overall width is just 24 inches.

Conversion to stretcher mode begins by releasing two locking levers located under the seat. The backrest lowers until it is coplanar with the seat, and the footrest extends outward and upward to form the lower half of the stretcher. The total length in stretcher mode is 79 inches – sufficient for patients up to 6 feet 6 inches tall. The height in stretcher mode can be adjusted from 22 to 32 inches using non-magnetic hydraulics. This height adjustability is critical for aligning the stretcher deck with the MRI scanner table, enabling a smooth lateral transfer without lifting the patient.

The hydraulics deserve special attention. Unlike standard hydraulic lifts that use steel cylinders and ferromagnetic valves, this system uses a sealed gas spring made entirely of aluminum and engineering polymers. The height adjustment lever is made of nylon with a brass pivot pin. There are no external hydraulic lines or fittings that could leak or become contaminated. The height adjustment range of 10 inches covers the vast majority of MRI scanner table heights encountered in clinical practice.

Once in stretcher mode, the device functions identically to a dedicated MRI stretcher. The deck is radiolucent, permitting portable X-ray if needed. Four 5-inch casters with conductive rubber treads and ceramic bearings provide smooth mobility. Two of the casters have total-lock brakes; the other two have directional locks. The brakes are engaged by foot pedals that provide audible and tactile feedback when fully locked. The stretcher can be wheeled directly into a 70-centimeter MRI bore without modification.

Safety features include a lap belt for chair mode and full-length restraint straps for stretcher mode. Both restraint systems use plastic buckles with no metal components. Side rails are available as an optional accessory; they attach to the deck via non-metallic clips and can be raised or lowered with one hand. An IV pole mount is provided on both sides of the device, accepting standard MRI-compatible IV poles.

Clinical studies at a large academic medical center found that the use of this convertible stretcher chair reduced the need for sedation in claustrophobic patients by 42 percent. Patients reported significantly lower anxiety scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory when they could remain seated during transport and approach the scanner bore in a seated position before lying down only for the scan itself. The device is also popular in pediatric imaging, where children are often more cooperative when allowed to sit up during the initial approach.