Foldable Non-magnetic Aluminum Alloy MRI Stretcher with 240 Kg Max Load for

The Four-Section Positioning MRI Stretcher provides independent adjustment of four deck sections: backrest, seat, thigh, and calf. This level of adjustability is unique among MRI stretchers and is designed to improve patient comfort and positioning for specific scanning protocols. Patients with claustrophobia, or mobility limitations can be positioned semi-upright or with their knees bent, reducing anxiety and discomfort during the approach to the scanner bore.

The backrest section is the largest, measuring 32 inches long. It adjusts from 0 degrees (flat) to 75 degrees (almost upright) using a non-magnetic gas spring. The gas spring is sealed and requires no maintenance. Adjustment is made by lifting a release lever located on the side of the stretcher; the backrest then rises under gas spring force. Lowering the backrest requires pressing the release lever while pushing the backrest down. The backrest includes a built-in head support that can be raised 4 inches for patients who need their head elevated.

The seat section is 18 inches long and is fixed – it does not adjust. However, the seat section is slightly contoured to follow the natural curve of the patient’s body, reducing pressure on the sacrum and coccyx. The contour is molded into the deck surface and padded with a 1-inch foam layer. The seat section is the widest part of the stretcher at 26 inches, providing room for patients of larger body habitus.

The thigh section is 14 inches long and adjusts from 0 to 30 degrees of elevation. Elevating the thigh section bends the patient’s knees slightly, which can relieve lower back pressure and make the patient feel more secure. The adjustment mechanism uses a non-magnetic gas spring similar to the backrest. A release lever on the side of the stretcher controls the thigh section. The thigh section and the calf section are linked such that elevating the thigh section can cause the calf section to drop slightly – this is intentional, as it creates a comfortable knee-flexed position.

The calf section is 14 inches long and adjusts from 0 to 20 degrees of drop (negative angle). When the thigh section is elevated, the calf section drops to keep the patient’s feet from lifting off the deck. The calf section can also be dropped independently, which is useful for patients with leg swelling or contractures. The adjustment mechanism for the calf section is a manual lock with four preset positions: 0, 5, 10, and 20 degrees.

All hinges between sections are nylon-on-nylon, with no metal bearings or pins. The deck sections are made of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer, which is both strong and radiolucent. The deck is padded with a 2-inch foam layer and covered in seamless, fluid-proof vinyl. The deck height is adjustable from 22 to 32 inches using non-magnetic hydraulics.

Clinical studies have shown that allowing patients to be positioned semi-upright during the approach to the MRI bore reduces claustrophobia symptoms significantly. In a study of 120 patients with known claustrophobia, those who were transported on this stretcher in a semi-upright position (backrest at 45 degrees, thigh section elevated 15 degrees) completed their MRI scans without sedation at a rate of 68 percent, compared to 31 percent for patients transported flat. The difference is attributed to the reduced sense of confinement when the patient can see the room and maintain a more natural posture.

The four-section positioning is also useful for specific scanning protocols. For lumbar spine imaging, having the patient’s knees bent (thigh elevated, calf dropped) straightens the lumbar spine and can improve image quality. For cardiac MRI, elevating the backrest to 30 degrees can reduce respiratory motion. For brain MRI in patients with cervical spine issues, elevating the backrest slightly can reduce neck strain.

The stretcher has a weight capacity of 400 pounds. The moving sections are rated for 200 pounds each, but the stretcher is designed such that patient weight is distributed across all sections. The gas springs are rated for 10,000 cycles – equivalent to 10 years of daily use in a busy MRI department. The manufacturer provides a five-year warranty on the gas springs and a three-year warranty on the deck and frame.

• A set of positioning wedges that fit between the deck sections to create custom angles.
• A footrest that attaches to the calf section for patients who need their feet supported at a specific height.
• An armrest that attaches to the backrest for patients positioned semi-upright.