Waterproof Foldable Non Magnetic Stretcher with 240 Kg Max Load for MRI and

The Anti-Static MRI Stretcher for RF-Sensitive Areas is engineered to eliminate electrostatic discharge (ESD) – a phenomenon that can interfere with MRI image quality and, in extreme cases, pose a fire risk in oxygen-enriched environments. ESD occurs when static electricity builds up on the surface of equipment and then discharges suddenly to a grounded object. This stretcher is designed to prevent static accumulation at every point, from the frame to the casters to the patient contact surface.

The frame is wrapped in ESD-safe polymer with a surface resistivity below 10⁹ ohms. This is not a coating that can wear off; it is a bulk property of the polymer material. The polymer is also impact-resistant and chemical-resistant, surviving exposure to common hospital disinfectants. The frame itself is aluminum – which is conductive – but the polymer wrap insulates the aluminum while providing a controlled path to ground. Any static charge that develops on the stretcher surface is conducted to the casters and from there to the floor.

All four casters are conductive rubber with a surface resistivity below 10⁶ ohms. The rubber is formulated with carbon black, which provides conductivity while maintaining the mechanical properties needed for smooth rolling. The casters are 5 inches in diameter with ceramic bearings. The caster yokes are aluminum with a conductive coating. Each caster has a locking brake that does not interrupt the conductive path – the brake mechanism is made of conductive polymer and ceramic.

No metal-to-plastic friction points exist anywhere on the stretcher. Metal-to-plastic friction is a common source of static charge, as the two materials exchange electrons when rubbed together. All moving parts – hinges, caster swivels, brake linkages – use plastic-on-plastic or ceramic-on-plastic interfaces. The push handles are made of conductive polymer with no internal metal core. The patient deck is a single-piece conductive polymer molding with a non-slip texture.

The push handle includes a ground strap attachment point. For facilities that require it, a flexible ground strap can be connected between the stretcher and a building ground. The attachment point is a brass stud embedded in the conductive polymer; the ground strap has a brass clip that attaches to the stud. The ground strap itself (optional accessory) is made of braided copper wire with a PVC jacket, and it is non-magnetic. The strap length is 10 feet, allowing the stretcher to be grounded while being moved around the MRI suite.

The patient deck is also anti-static. Patients themselves can generate static charge through movement against bedding or clothing. The deck surface is formulated to conduct static away from the patient without causing discomfort. The surface resistivity is 10⁸ to 10¹⁰ ohms – high enough to prevent rapid discharge (which would feel like a shock) but low enough to prevent charge accumulation. The deck is seamless and fluid-proof, with a slightly textured surface for slip resistance.

Testing for this stretcher includes measurement of static charge accumulation under worst-case conditions. In an independent laboratory test, the stretcher was rubbed with nylon fabric for 60 seconds, then measured for static charge. The maximum measured charge was 50 volts – well below the 1,000-volt threshold at which ESD becomes a concern for electronic equipment. The same test performed on a standard non-ESD stretcher produced charges exceeding 5,000 volts.

Clinical applications include MRI suites with high-flow oxygen, suites performing interventional procedures where flammable materials may be present, and suites with sensitive RF coils that can be damaged by ESD. The stretcher is also recommended for MRI systems with open-bore designs, where static discharge from equipment is more likely to reach the patient because of the shorter distance between the equipment and the bore.

Optional accessories include an ESD-safe mattress pad that covers the deck and provides additional patient comfort while maintaining conductive properties; an ESD-safe IV pole with a conductive polymer shaft; and a set of ESD-safe restraint straps with conductive webbing. The manufacturer provides a certificate of ESD compliance, documenting surface resistivity measurements for each stretcher before shipment.

• ESD-safe mattress pad
• ESD-safe IV pole with a conductive polymer shaft
• Set of ESD-safe restraint straps with conductive webbing
• Certificate of ESD compliance (provided by manufacturer)