MRI Safe Equipment

Four non ferrous equipment lines for the imaging suite: the pieces built to work past the magnet line.

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Equipment That Belongs Past The Magnet Line

The MRI controlled zone needs its own equipment roster, built without ferrous metal so nothing in the room raises the question. This family collects those lines, including the MRI wheelchairs that also appear in the Hospital Transportation family, so an imaging department can equip the zone deliberately.

Shop The MRI Safe Equipment Lines by Type

Every line in the family with its catalog count.

What Is MRI Safe Equipment?

An MRI scanner uses a powerful magnetic field that is always on, even when the scanner is not imaging. Ferrous metal objects brought near the magnet can be pulled toward it with great force, becoming projectiles that can injure patients and staff and damage the scanner. For that reason, ordinary equipment containing steel must never enter the magnet room. MRI safe equipment is built from non ferrous materials so it can be used safely in the MRI environment. This family includes MRI safe emergency carts and MRI wheelchairs, along with related equipment designed for MRI zones. Each line has its own page with products and specifications listed per model. Imaging departments use this equipment to transport patients into the scanner room, respond to emergencies inside the suite and support patient care without bringing standard equipment past the MRI safety boundary.

How Are MRI Equipment Ratings Defined?

Equipment intended for MRI environments is labeled according to established MRI safety terminology. Items described as MR safe pose no known hazards in any MRI environment. Items described as MR conditional have been shown to pose no known hazards under specified conditions, such as a particular field strength or other parameters, and must be used only within those conditions. Items described as MR unsafe must never enter the MRI environment. When selecting equipment, confirm the listed rating and any conditions against the scanners in the facility, since a facility may operate scanners of different field strengths. The facility’s MRI safety officer or imaging leadership should approve any equipment used in the magnet room. Labels on the equipment help staff identify approved items quickly. Each listing in this family states the equipment’s MRI rating and conditions, which is the first specification to check.

Why Does the MRI Suite Need Its Own Emergency Cart?

Medical emergencies can occur during an MRI scan, and responders need equipment immediately. A standard crash cart contains steel and cannot be brought into the magnet room, and the patient may need to be removed from the scanner and moved to a safe area before standard equipment can be used. MRI safe emergency carts are built from non ferrous materials so they can be stored and used within the MRI environment according to the facility’s protocols. They are organized similarly to standard crash carts, with drawers for emergency supplies, so responders familiar with the facility’s code carts can find what they need. Many facilities keep the drawer layout identical to their standard carts for this reason. The facility’s emergency response protocol for the MRI suite determines where the cart is kept and how it is used. Listings give construction, drawer configuration and MRI rating for each cart.

Why Are MRI Wheelchairs Kept in the Imaging Zone?

Patients often arrive at the MRI suite in standard wheelchairs, which cannot enter the magnet room. MRI wheelchairs allow patients to be transferred at the boundary of the MRI zone and transported safely into the scanner room. Imaging departments typically keep MRI wheelchairs within the controlled zone and never allow them to leave, so a standard wheelchair is never mistaken for an MRI safe one. Clear labeling and color coding help staff distinguish MRI equipment from standard equipment. When selecting MRI wheelchairs, check the MRI rating and conditions, seat width and weight capacity for the patient population, and features such as footrests and armrests that help with transfers. Departments with high volumes may need several chairs to avoid delays. Listings give rating, dimensions and capacity for each model, so departments can choose chairs suited to their patients and workflow.

How Do MRI Safety Zones Affect Equipment Planning?

Many facilities organize MRI suites into zones that become progressively more restricted closer to the scanner. Outer zones are open to the public, intermediate zones are controlled by MRI staff and include screening areas, and the innermost zones include the scanner control room and the magnet room itself. Equipment planning follows these zones. Standard equipment can be used in outer zones, while only approved MRI equipment may enter the magnet room. Transfer points at zone boundaries are where patients move from standard equipment to MRI safe equipment, so those areas need space for the transfer and storage for MRI wheelchairs and other equipment. Emergency carts are placed according to the facility’s response plan. When planning purchases, map which equipment will be used in each zone and how patients and staff will move between them. The MRI safety officer typically leads this planning.

What Other Equipment Needs MRI Consideration?

Beyond carts and wheelchairs, many items used in patient care may need to enter the MRI environment, including IV poles, stretchers, monitoring equipment, oxygen cylinders and patient positioning aids. Each item must be evaluated for MRI compatibility, and only items rated for the conditions present should be used in the magnet room. Oxygen cylinders are a particular concern, since standard steel cylinders are dangerous near the magnet. Facilities should maintain an inventory of approved MRI equipment and ensure that staff know which items may enter the scanner room. Equipment that is not labeled should be treated as unsafe until its status is confirmed. When purchasing equipment for the MRI suite, verify ratings for every item rather than assuming an item is safe because it looks similar to an approved product. The order desk can help identify MRI rated products across categories.

How Should MRI Equipment Be Labeled and Managed?

Clear labeling prevents dangerous mistakes. MRI equipment should carry labels indicating its MRI status, and many facilities add color coding so staff can recognize approved items at a glance. Equipment kept within the MRI zone should be stored in designated locations so it does not migrate to other departments, and standard equipment should be kept out of the zone. Staff training should cover how to identify approved equipment and what to do if unapproved equipment approaches the magnet room. Regular audits help confirm that equipment in the zone is properly labeled and in good condition. When equipment is repaired, replacement parts must maintain its MRI status, since a steel replacement part could make a previously safe item dangerous. Facilities should source parts that the manufacturer specifies for the MRI version of the product to maintain its rating.

How Is MRI Equipment Maintained?

MRI safe equipment requires the same cleaning as other patient care equipment, using approved disinfectants between patients. Mechanical inspection should confirm that wheels, brakes, footrests and drawers work properly. Because these items are used in a specialized environment, damage should be repaired using manufacturer approved parts that preserve the equipment’s MRI rating. Labels should be checked to make sure they remain legible, and replaced if worn. Equipment that cannot be repaired with approved parts should be retired rather than modified. Emergency carts in the MRI suite should be checked and restocked according to the facility’s code cart procedures, using supplies that are appropriate for the MRI environment. A designated person in the imaging department often manages MRI equipment inventory, inspection and repairs, which helps keep the equipment ready and the zone safe.

How Do Facilities Order MRI Safe Equipment?

MRI equipment purchases usually start with the imaging department and MRI safety officer identifying what equipment is needed in each zone and the scanner field strengths involved. Facilities then select emergency carts, wheelchairs and other items with ratings appropriate for those conditions. MSEC quotes individual items and complete MRI suite equipment sets, accepts purchase orders from hospitals, imaging centers and government buyers, and offers GSA contract pricing for federal and VA facilities. The order desk at 877-706-4480 can help identify products with the right MRI ratings before anything ships, so equipment arrives ready for approval and use in the suite.