200 Kg Weight Capacity Non Magnetic MRI Stretcher with Radiolucent Top for MRI

The MRI Trolley with Radiolucent Top is designed for patients who require both MRI and X-ray imaging in a single session without being moved between devices. The defining feature is the solid top deck, which is completely radiolucent – meaning X-rays pass through it with minimal attenuation – while still being strong enough to support a full patient load. This trolley eliminates the need to transfer a patient from a stretcher to an X-ray table and then to an MRI table, reducing handling, saving time, and improving patient safety.

The top deck is made of fiber-reinforced plastic with zero metal mesh or inserts. Many so-called radiolucent surfaces contain small amounts of metal for reinforcement, which can cause artifacts in both X-ray and MRI imaging. This deck contains no metal whatsoever. The reinforcement is provided by continuous glass fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix. The result is a deck that is both radiolucent and non-magnetic, with a tensile strength comparable to aluminum.

The deck surface is seamless and fluid-proof. It can be cleaned with standard hospital disinfectants, including bleach-based solutions, without degradation. The surface is also non-porous, preventing the absorption of blood, urine, or other biological fluids. A slight texture provides slip resistance even when the deck is wet. The deck is available in two colors: light gray (which shows contrast with surgical drapes) and dark blue (which hides stains).

Undercarriage storage is also radiolucent, allowing X-ray cassettes or digital detectors to be stored beneath the patient without being removed. The storage tray is made of the same fiber-reinforced plastic as the deck and measures 20 inches by 14 inches by 2 inches deep. The tray can hold up to 10 pounds of equipment. It is accessible from either side of the trolley, and it can be removed for cleaning by releasing four plastic clips.

All four wheels are conductive rubber to dissipate static charge. In an MRI environment, static discharge can be more than a nuisance – it can interfere with RF coils and, in rare cases, ignite oxygen. The conductive rubber has a surface resistivity below 10⁶ ohms, ensuring that any static charge is safely grounded through the floor. The wheel bearings are ceramic, which are non-magnetic and wear-resistant. Each wheel is 5 inches in diameter and has a locking brake.

A radiolucent index marking is molded into the deck surface. The marking consists of a grid of lines spaced 1 inch apart, with numbers every 10 inches. This grid allows staff to position the patient over X-ray grid lines with precision, ensuring that X-ray images are properly aligned. The grid is radiolucent – it appears on X-ray images as fine lines that do not obscure anatomy. The grid can be covered with a disposable drape if not needed.

The trolley frame is made of aluminum and polymer, with all fasteners being brass or nylon. The push handles are height-adjustable from 36 to 44 inches using a non-magnetic gas spring and nylon locking collars. The handles are covered in textured rubber for a secure grip. Two handles are provided at each end, allowing two-person operation when moving a patient who has multiple lines and tubes.

The weight capacity is 450 pounds, with a safety factor of 4:1. The trolley weighs 78 pounds, making it manageable for a single operator when empty, though two operators are recommended when loaded. The overall dimensions are 79 inches long, 26 inches wide, and a deck height of 22 inches (fixed – this trolley does not have height adjustability, as the focus is on radiolucency and simplicity).

Clinical applications include emergency department workflows where trauma patients need both X-ray and MRI. Rather than moving the patient from a gurney to an X-ray table, then to an MRI table, the patient remains on this trolley for both imaging modalities. One level 1 trauma center reported a 25-minute reduction in total imaging time per patient after adopting these trolleys. The trolley is also useful in interventional radiology suites that perform both X-ray-guided and MRI-guided procedures.

Optional accessories include a set of radiolucent positioning pads that do not obscure X-ray images, a head holder that attaches to the deck without metal, and an IV pole that mounts to the frame but can be removed when X-ray is performed. The manufacturer provides a certificate of radiolucency, documenting the X-ray attenuation of the deck at standard clinical energies (60-120 kVp).