From the Prep Room to Product Innovation
The experience behind the Mortuary Balancing Bar.
Mortuary Balancing Bar
What is the MBAR and how does it work?
■ MEET THE INVENTOR
Practical innovation built from real prep-room experience.
Kristopher R. Mickens is the Founder and President of Fanprobe LLC and the inventor of the Mortuary Balancing Bar, a patented-pending support device designed to improve ergonomics and workflow in mortuary preparation rooms.
Mickens brings more than 20 years of hands-on experience in funeral service and mortuary operations. He previously worked at the Maryland State Medical Examiner’s Office as an Autopsy Technician and later spent approximately 15+ years working in one of Maryland’s largest funeral homes, specializing in decedent preparation, restorative work, removals, and funeral coordination.
Throughout his career, Mickens has also worked with multiple funeral homes and mortuary transport companies, gaining extensive experience in removals, preparation room operations, and high-volume decedent handling.
Drawing on this experience, he developed the Mortuary Balancing Bar, a durable, non-porous device that elevates and stabilizes the lower lumbar region of a decedent, providing approximately 6.5 inches of clearance to improve positioning and reduce lifting strain during preparation and dressing.
Today, Fanprobe develops practical tools and resources for funeral professionals, including mortuary equipment, training mannequin rentals, and digital services.
