Method for preparing cleaning unit by means of preparation station

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for preparing a cleaning unit (1) by means of a preparation station (7) which is separate from a medical imaging device (4) and which is arranged in the vicinity of the medical imaging device, the cleaning unit (1) being provided for cleaning a jacket (3) of the medical imaging device (4) which surrounds a patient receiving area (2), the cleaning unit (1) having a carrier structure (5) and a cleaning element (6), the cleaning unit (1) is moved towards a preparation station (7), and then at least one preparation step is carried out, by means of which the cleaning unit (1) is prepared for subsequent cleaning.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to

[0002] - a method for preparing a cleaning unit, wherein the cleaning unit is configured to clean a housing (Umhausung) surrounding a patient accommodation area of a medical imaging device,

[0003] - a method for cleaning a housing surrounding a patient accommodation area of a medical imaging device, with respect to a preparation station for a method for preparing and / or cleaning such a cleaning unit,

[0004] - such a preparation station, and

[0005] - a device having such a preparation station. Background Art

[0006] Medical imaging devices are used in radiology and are, for example, MRT instruments and CT instruments. In use, medical imaging devices become contaminated and / or infected with germs and / or viruses. This can occur, for example, by the person to be examined inside the medical imaging device itself, in such a way that bacteria or other contaminants are left behind during coughing, sneezing, moist breathing, physical contact with the medical imaging device or the like. This type of contaminant remains especially on the inner side, in particular the housing, of the medical imaging device.

[0007] Here, manual cleaning is carried out using a cleaning tool optionally fixed to a rod, as disclosed, for example, in US 5918342.

[0008] The disadvantage here is that this type of cleaning is very cumbersome and time-consuming and / or the cleaning personnel are very close to or even partly stay inside the medical imaging device. Here, the radiological effects of the medical imaging device, such as X-ray radiation or magnetic fields, can be uncomfortable.

[0009] Furthermore, it is known to provide an automatic cleaning unit inside a medical imaging device, as disclosed, for example, in CN 219251060U or DE102021210471 A1. Here, the cleaning unit can carry out wiping cleaning in such a way that the cleaning unit moves from one end of the housing to the other end of the housing.

[0010] Disadvantageously, after the first movement of such a cleaning unit and the wiping of the housing, when moving back to the initial position, the housing is at least partially re-contaminated because germs and / or viruses absorbed during the first movement may remain on the housing again. In addition, when introducing such a cleaning unit into the housing of a medical imaging device, the positioning and geometric accuracy of the cleaning unit must be very precise in the current state of the art or a mechanism with a high overhead for compensating tolerances must be provided. The associated deviations and / or inaccuracies have a negative impact on the cleaning efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a method for preparing a cleaning unit that is improved compared to the prior art, wherein the method is particularly distinguished by less effort for the preparation personnel. The object is furthermore to provide a method for cleaning a cleaning unit, a preparation station for a method for preparing and / or cleaning such a cleaning unit, and a device having such a preparation station.

[0012] This object is solved by the features of the present invention.

[0013] This object is solved by the method according to the present invention, i.e., a method for preparing a cleaning unit by means of a preparation station that is separated from and arranged near a medical imaging device, wherein the cleaning unit is configured to clean the housing enclosing the patient accommodation area of the medical imaging device, wherein the cleaning unit has a carrier structure and cleaning components, wherein

[0014] - moving the cleaning unit towards the preparation station and

[0015] - then performing at least one preparation step by which the cleaning unit is prepared for subsequent cleaning.

[0016] Generally, different preparation steps are required to prepare the cleaning unit. When the cleaning unit is directly prepared at the medical imaging device for a new imaging, the time consumption until a new imaging can be performed is increased. For example, before the patient can sit on the patient table, the patient has to wait until the cleaning unit is ready. By the method according to the present invention, the cleaning unit can be prepared by means of a preparation station that is separated from and arranged near the medical imaging device in such a way that during this time the medical imaging device can be at least partially accessed and at least partially used. For example, the method for preparing the cleaning unit can take place during a patient change. In particular, for elderly and frail patients, the patient change takes time, during which the cleaning unit can be prepared simultaneously and thus less time is consumed because the cleaning unit is prepared at the preparation station and the patient accommodation area is more accessible.

[0017] The advantage of such a method for preparing a cleaning unit is that at least one preparation step for preparing the cleaning unit can be carried out by means of a preparation station. Thus, the preparation station simplifies at least one preferably completely manual preparation step and thus reduces the preparation effort for the preparation personnel.

[0018] "Cleaning" is understood here as sweeping, disinfecting and / or sterilizing. Cleaning can be carried out, for example, in the form of wiping, scraping, scratching, rubbing, scrubbing, washing and / or the like.

[0019] "Preparation station arranged near the medical imaging device" is understood here as meaning that the preparation station is located near the medical imaging device, where the spacing between the preparation station and the medical imaging device is sufficient for the following, namely that, for example, the emission effects of the X-ray radiation or the magnetic field of the medical imaging device do not negatively affect the preparation station, in particular the metallic and / or electronic components of the preparation station, and / or the preparation personnel when carrying out the method for preparing the cleaning unit. The sufficient spacing between the preparation station and the medical imaging device can be, for example, at least 0.5 m.

[0020] "Preparation step" is understood here as meaning all measures which are carried out at the cleaning unit before, during and / or after medical imaging.

[0021] It can be provided that the cleaning unit remains in the preparation station before and / or after at least one preparation step.

[0022] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that in the course of the description of the present invention, the quantifiers such as one, two, three, etc. used in principle only describe the minimum amount of the presence of the features of the method according to the invention, the preparation station according to the invention and / or the device according to the invention having such a preparation station. Of course, the individual features or components can also be present in a larger quantity. Thus, the method according to the invention can, for example, have more than one preparation step and the preparation station according to the invention can have more than one preparation device, etc. Thus, in this sense, the quantifier "one", for example, should reasonably be understood as meaning at least one, and so on.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the method for preparing the cleaning unit and / or the method for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient accommodation area of the medical imaging device comprises at least one or at least two or at least three or at least four or at least five preparation steps.

[0024] For example, at least three preparation steps can be provided, where deforming the cleaning part, placing the cleaning support (Reinigungsauf lage), and applying and / or introducing the cleaning agent can each be a preparation step.

[0025] In another example, a fourth preparation step may additionally be provided for the previous example, in which the cleaning agent or an additional cleaning agent is additionally applied and / or introduced for the second time.

[0026] Each of the preparation steps disclosed herein may be repeated and / or combined with each other during the process of a method for preparing a cleaning unit and / or a method for cleaning a housing surrounding a patient accommodation area of a medical imaging device.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment variant, it may be provided that the preparation station includes at least one or at least two or at least three or at least four or at least five preparation devices.

[0028] For example, at least three preparation devices may be provided, where the deformation device, the placement device, and the application device may each be a preparation device.

[0029] In another example, a fourth preparation device may additionally be provided for the previous example, in which a second application device may additionally be provided for the second application and / or introduction of the cleaning agent or for the application of an additional cleaning agent.

[0030] Each of the preparation devices disclosed herein may be provided multiple times and / or combined with each other in a preparation station for preparing a cleaning unit and / or for cleaning a housing surrounding a patient accommodation area of a medical imaging device.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment variant, it may be provided that the method is at least partially, preferably completely automated.

[0032] Other advantageous embodiments of the method are defined in the examples.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that at least one of the following method steps is performed:

[0034] - detachably connecting the cleaning unit to the preparation station, preferably by means of a coupling device

[0035] - loading a force memory and / or an energy memory

[0036] - deforming, preferably bulging, the cleaning part by filling it with a pressure medium or by removing the pressure medium

[0037] - placing, preferably tensioning (Aufspannen), the cleaning support part of the cleaning part onto the cleaning substrate of the cleaning part, preferably along the outer contour of the cleaning substrate

[0038] -Preferably, the cleaning agent is applied and / or introduced onto and / or into the cleaning support of the cleaning member before, during and / or after the cleaning support of the cleaning member is placed on the cleaning substrate of the cleaning member.

[0039] Preparation steps (such as deforming the cleaning member, placing the cleaning support and / or applying and / or introducing the cleaning agent) can be time-consuming and / or labor-consuming. Therefore, using a preparation station in the process of the method for preparing the cleaning unit reduces the stagnation time, specifically the unutilized time, and / or better and more effectively utilizes the operating time of the medical imaging device.

[0040] When the cleaning unit is placed on or in the preparation station, in the simplest case, there can be a detachable connection between the cleaning unit and the preparation station. Alternatively or additionally, it can be arranged that there is its own coupling device for the detachable connection.

[0041] "Detachable connection", "detachably connected" and "capable of being detachably connected" can be understood as that at least two initially separate components can be connected to each other, where the detachable connection can then be loosened without damage, so that the at least two components exist again in their initially separate states, so that they can be reconnected subsequently. Therefore, "detachable connection", "detachably connected" and "capable of being detachably connected" can also be referred to as "detachable connection without damage", "detachably connected without damage" and "capable of being detachably connected without damage".

[0042] The energy storage is used to store currently available but unnecessary energy for later use. The energy storage can be an electrical energy storage, such as a battery. Similarly, the force storage is used to provide force for later use. The force storage can be a mechanical force storage, such as a spring device.

[0043] By means of the energy storage or the force storage, at least one preparation step for preparing the cleaning unit and / or a cleaning step for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient accommodation area at a later time can be carried out. For example, a spring can be loaded as a force storage during preparation so as to cause deformation of the cleaning member of the cleaning unit later, preferably when the cleaning unit is arranged inside the housing during cleaning. In this way, the cleaning member of the cleaning unit can be pressed against the housing or the pressing can be ended inside the housing by the loaded spring.

[0044] "Deformable" and / or "capable of being deformed" are understood herein to mean that the shape of an object can be changed due to the action of forces and / or stresses. The deformation of an object can be broken down into a first part and a second part. In the case of the first part, the volume and / or spatial extent of the object changes, but the geometric shape of the object remains unchanged, for example in the case of an increase in the radius of a sphere or a tubular body. In the case of the second part, the geometric shape of the object changes, but the volume and / or spatial extent of the object remains unchanged, for example when a sphere is elongated along an axis to form an ellipsoid. In the case of deformation by filling a cleaning component with a pressure medium, a deformation with a first and / or second part can be carried out.

[0045] The deformable property of the cleaning component achieved by filling it with a pressure medium causes a change in the geometric shape, preferably the outer diameter, the spatial extent and / or the volume of the cleaning component. In this way, contact between the cleaning unit arranged in the medical imaging device and the housing of the medical imaging device can be caused or avoided in a targeted manner.

[0046] Thus, reliable cleaning of the housing can be carried out by placing the cleaning component in a filled state, contacting the housing with the filled cleaning component, and cleaning the housing by wiping, for example, when the cleaning unit moves.

[0047] "Unfilled cleaning component" or "cleaning component in an unfilled state" is a cleaning component that has not been filled with a pressure medium, and the unfilled cleaning component of the cleaning unit introduced into the housing does not contact the housing.

[0048] In the unfilled state, the cleaning component is under the action of the force and / or stress of the atmospheric pressure surrounding the cleaning component and / or optionally under the action of the force and / or stress of the medium present in the cleaning component, but is never under the pressure action of the housing, where the medium is not a pressure medium.

[0049] "Partially filled cleaning component" or "cleaning component in a partially filled state" is a cleaning component that is at least partially filled with a pressure medium, and the partially filled cleaning component of the cleaning unit introduced into the housing does not contact the housing.

[0050] "Filled cleaning component" or "cleaning component in a filled state" is a cleaning component filled with a pressure medium, and the filled cleaning component of the cleaning unit introduced into the housing contacts the housing.

[0051] In the filled state, the cleaning component is under the action of the force and / or stress of the pressure medium, the atmospheric pressure surrounding the cleaning component, and the housing in contact with the cleaning component, and optionally under the action of the reaction force generated by the deformation of the preferably elastic cleaning component.

[0052] During the transition of the filled cleaning part in contact with the housing from the partially filled cleaning part to the unfilled cleaning part, the pressure medium is removed from the cleaning part, thereby reducing the spatial extension of the cleaning part and ending the contact with the housing.

[0053] In the case where the unfilled cleaning part not in contact with the housing transitions to the filled cleaning part through the partially filled cleaning part, the pressure medium is introduced into the cleaning part, thereby increasing the spatial extension of the cleaning part and achieving contact with the housing.

[0054] The transition from the partially filled cleaning part to the filled cleaning part occurs only when sufficient pressure medium is introduced into the cleaning part of the cleaning unit, or in other words, when the cleaning part is sufficiently filled with the pressure medium, thereby achieving contact with the housing through the cleaning unit introduced into the housing. If the already filled cleaning part is subsequently continuously filled with the pressure medium, the contact with the housing exists in the form of extrusion, where the extrusion force is determined by the degree of filling of the filled cleaning part.

[0055] The cleaning part can be filled successively multiple times, and at each new filling, the spatial extension of the cleaning part is enlarged corresponding to the above embodiments. This similarly applies to the cleaning part from which a part of the pressure medium is successively removed multiple times.

[0056] "Cleaning agent" can be understood here as a known medium for cleaning, such as soap, disinfectant (such as alcohol) and / or bactericide.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, at least one of the following method steps is provided:

[0058] - Preferably by means of a coupling device, disassemble the cleaning unit detachably connected to the preparation station.

[0059] - Transfer the cleaning unit between the medical imaging device and the preparation station.

[0060] - Connect the cleaning unit detachably to the medical imaging device.

[0061] - Disassemble the cleaning unit from the medical imaging device.

[0062] In a preferred implementation variant, it can be provided that the transfer of the cleaning unit is carried out by means of a transfer device.

[0063] Furthermore, a method for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient accommodation area of a medical imaging device is claimed

[0064] - By means of a cleaning unit, where the cleaning unit has a carrier structure and a cleaning part, and

[0065] - By means of a preparation station which is preferably separated from the medical imaging device and arranged in its vicinity, the preparation station having at least one preparation device and at least one moving device, wherein the cleaning unit is detachably connected to the preparation station,

[0066] o wherein at least one preparation step is performed by the at least one preparation device, by which the cleaning unit is prepared for subsequent cleaning and

[0067] o wherein the cleaning is carried out by moving the prepared cleaning unit inside the medical imaging device in at least one direction, preferably in at least two directions.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment variant of the method for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient accommodation area of a medical imaging device, it can be provided that the at least one moving device is part of the preparation station or the at least one moving device is part of the medical imaging device, for example a patient table.

[0069] By means of the preparation station, a lower-cost and more efficient working process can be achieved in that, on the one hand, the preparation of the cleaning unit is made easier by the preparation station and, on the other hand, the preparation station can be used as a moving device for cleaning the housing.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment variant, once the movement of the prepared cleaning unit along the housing in the first direction has ended, the filled cleaning part can be placed in an unfilled state and the cleaning unit with the unfilled cleaning part can be moved back to the initial position without contact. No re-contact of the cleaning part with the housing occurs hereby, thus avoiding recontamination.

[0071] Furthermore, a preparation station for preparing a cleaning unit is claimed, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged for cleaning the housing surrounding the patient accommodation area of a medical imaging device, wherein the cleaning unit has a carrier structure and a cleaning part, wherein the preparation station is separated from the medical imaging device and arranged in the vicinity of the medical imaging device, and wherein the preparation station has at least one preparation device by which the cleaning unit is prepared for subsequent cleaning.

[0072] Other advantageous embodiments of the preparation station are defined in the examples.

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, it is provided that the at least one preparation device is - a coupling device for detachably connecting the cleaning unit to the preparation station,

[0074] - a loading device for loading a force memory and / or an energy memory,

[0075] - a deformation device for deforming the cleaning part,

[0076] - Position the device for placing the cleaning support of the cleaning part onto the cleaning matrix of the cleaning part or

[0077] - Apply the device for applying the cleaning agent onto and / or into the cleaning support of the cleaning part.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the preparation station is detachably connected to the cleaning unit or can be detachably connected.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that at least one of the preparation devices is at least partially, preferably completely automated.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that at least one control and / or regulation unit is provided for controlling and / or regulating at least one of the preparation devices.

[0081] With the control and / or regulation unit, for example, the amount of the pressure medium inside the filled cleaning part and / or the pressure to be achieved can be controlled and / or regulated.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that at least one sensor is provided, preferably, wherein the sensor is connected to at least one control and / or regulation unit.

[0083] With the sensor, preferably a pressure sensor, the state of the filled and / or unfilled cleaning part can be monitored.

[0084] By using at least partially, preferably completely automated preparation devices, such as deformation devices, placement devices, and / or application devices, for example, by means of the control and / or regulation unit and / or by means of the sensor, the efficiency of cleaning the housing using the cleaning unit can be increased, the efficiency of the operation of the medical imaging device can be increased, and the preparation cost for the preparation personnel can be reduced.

[0085] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, the deformation device has a deformation drive, a pressure medium, and a connection line for connecting the cleaning part to the deformation drive, preferably detachably or non-detachably, wherein the pressure medium can be filled into the cleaning part and / or taken out of the cleaning part by means of the deformation drive, and wherein the cleaning part can be deformed by filling and / or taking out the pressure medium.

[0086] "Detachable connection", "detachably connected", and "capable of being detachably connected" can be understood to mean that at least two components that were initially separate from each other can be connected to each other, where the detachable connection can subsequently be loosened without damage, such that the at least two components exist again in their initially separate state, so that they can subsequently be reconnected. Therefore, "detachable connection", "detachably connected", and "capable of being detachably connected" can also be referred to as "connection that can be disassembled without damage", "detachably connected without damage", and "capable of being detachably connected without damage".

[0087] "Non-detachable connection", "non-detachably connected", and "capable of being non-detachably connected" can be understood to mean that at least two components that were initially separate from each other can be connected to each other, where the non-detachable connection cannot subsequently be loosened without damaging the integrity of at least one of the at least two components and / or without making it difficult or impossible to reconnect the at least two components. Therefore, "non-detachable connection", "non-detachably connected", and "capable of being non-detachably connected" can also be referred to as "connection that cannot be disassembled without damage", "non-detachably connected without damage", and "capable of being non-detachably connected without damage".

[0088] In a preferred implementation variant, it can be provided that the deformation device has a compressor, preferably an air compressor, where the compressor sucks in a pressure medium, preferably ambient air, and guides the pressure medium under pressure through a connecting line to a cleaning component and thereby fills the cleaning component.

[0089] According to a preferred implementation of the preparation station, the cleaning support can be placed, preferably tensioned onto the cleaning substrate, along the outer contour of the cleaning substrate by means of a placement device.

[0090] The removal of the cleaning support from the cleaning unit can be carried out by means of the placement device, or in other words, the placement (Dep l atz ieren) of the cleaning support of the cleaning unit can be cancelled. In a preferred implementation variant, it is thus possible to remove a preferably used first cleaning support and / or place a preferably unused second cleaning support.

[0091] According to a preferred implementation of the preparation station, the placement device has at least one placement drive and a connecting device for preferably detachably or non-detachably connecting to the cleaning support, where the cleaning support connected to the connecting device can be moved by the placement drive onto the cleaning substrate up to the operating position and can preferably be unwound from a reel.

[0092] The connecting device can for example be a clamp or a spindle for winding up the cleaning support.

[0093] In the operating position of the cleaning support, the cleaning support is arranged on the cleaning component such that the cleaning unit is ready for operation and can be used to clean the housing. Preferably, it can be provided that the cleaning support partially or completely covers the cleaning substrate in the operating position.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the placement device is configured to tension the cleaning support onto the cleaning substrate.

[0095] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, it is provided that the cleaning agent can be applied to the cleaning support and / or into the cleaning support by means of an application device before, during, and / or after the cleaning support is placed on the cleaning substrate.

[0096] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, it is provided that the application device has at least one spray nozzle and / or reservoir and / or storage and / or application roller and / or application roller for applying the cleaning agent to the cleaning support.

[0097] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, it is provided that a reserve container with a plurality of cleaning supports is provided, preferably wherein the cleaning supports are pretreated with the cleaning agent.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning supports from the reserve container can be pre-wetted with the cleaning agent.

[0099] The cleaning unit can be covered or masked manually and / or automatically with a single cleaning support from the reserve container.

[0100] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, it is provided that a transfer device is provided for transferring the cleaning unit between the preparation station and the medical imaging device, wherein the transfer device can be manually driven and / or motorized.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the transfer device is at least partially, preferably completely, automated.

[0102] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, it is provided that a moving device is provided, wherein the cleaning unit detachably connected to the preparation station can be moved towards and / or away from the medical imaging device by means of the moving device and / or moved in at least one direction, preferably in at least two directions, inside the medical imaging device.

[0103] By means of a mobile device, the cleaning unit can preferably move at least partially, particularly preferably fully automatically, from a preparation position into the housing, where the cleaning of the housing is carried out and then move back into the preparation position. Thus, the preparation station can not only be used to prepare the cleaning unit, but additionally to clean the housing, and by combining functions, the preparation of the cleaning unit, the cleaning of the housing and the operation of the medical imaging device can be simplified and the efficiency can be increased.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the mobile device is at least partially, preferably fully, automated.

[0105] The discussion regarding automated devices and control and / or regulation units and sensors is reasonably applicable to the transfer device and / or the mobile device.

[0106] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, it is provided that the preparation station as a whole is mobile, preferably movable by means of rollers, or is stationary.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the preparation station has at least one fixing device, particularly preferably at least one braking device, for locking the movable preparation station, or at least one fixing device, particularly preferably at least one strap, for locking the stationary preparation station.

[0108] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, it is provided that the carrier structure is dimensionally stable and / or the cleaning part can be elastically deformed.

[0109] Through the elastic deformability of the cleaning part, a higher pressure of the pressure medium and thus a greater spatial expansion can be achieved, whereby the efficiency of the cleaning of the housing can be increased.

[0110] According to a preferred embodiment of the preparation station, it is provided that the electronic components for preparing the cleaning unit are arranged mostly, preferably all, at or in the preparation station.

[0111] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning unit is at least partially, preferably completely, free of metal components and / or electronic components.

[0112] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the carrier structure and / or the cleaning part has or consists of at least one non-metallic material, preferably, at least one non-metallic material has or consists of at least one of the following materials:

[0113] - Natural materials, particularly preferably graphite,

[0114] - Polymer materials, particularly preferably elastomers, thermoplastics, thermosets, copolymers,

[0115] - Inorganic materials, particularly preferably ceramics or glass,

[0116] - Composite materials, particularly preferably reinforced fiber composites or laminated composites.

[0117] Electronic components and / or metal components can negatively affect medical imaging and / or be damaged by the magnetic field of medical imaging. Therefore, arranging these components in the preparation station instead of in the cleaning unit results in more reliable imaging, avoids damage, and / or reduces preparation costs.

[0118] Furthermore, a device is claimed, which has a preparation station according to one of the embodiments and has a medical imaging device, wherein the medical imaging device has a scanner unit, a patient accommodation area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, and a housing surrounding the patient accommodation area, and the device also has a cleaning unit for cleaning the housing.

[0119] According to a preferred embodiment of the device, it is arranged that the preparation station is arranged along the closed side of the scanner unit or at the open side of the scanner unit.

[0120] By arranging along the closed side of the scanner unit, the opening of the housing is not blocked, thereby improving the accessibility of the housing for imaging and / or cleaning.

[0121] By arranging along the open side of the scanner unit, although the opening of the housing is blocked, for this purpose, the preparation station can move into the housing, move inside the housing, and move out of the housing for cleaning the housing in the case of an existing mobile device. Preferably, it can be arranged that the mobile device is part of the preparation station or the mobile device of the medical imaging device, such as a patient table.

[0122] According to a preferred embodiment of the device, it is arranged that the device has a mobile device separated from the preparation station, preferably together with the patient table, wherein the cleaning unit can be transferred from the preparation station to the separated mobile device, preferably to the patient table, and / or the cleaning unit can be transferred from the separated mobile device, preferably from the patient table, to the preparation station.

[0123] In the case of a separated mobile device preferably having a patient table, it is advantageous that the preparation station is arranged at the open side of the scanner unit.

[0124] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be arranged that the cleaning part has a cleaning base body and a cleaning support part, wherein the cleaning support part is placed along the outer contour of the cleaning base body.

[0125] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be arranged that the cleaning part is arranged along the contour, preferably the outer contour, of the carrier structure, wherein the cleaning part can be deformed by filling with a pressure medium.

[0126] "A cleaning part deformable by filling with a pressure medium" can be understood here as meaning that the cleaning part is deformable in such a way that the volume at least partly, preferably completely, defined by the cleaning part is at least partly, preferably completely, occupied by the pressure medium.

[0127] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning part of the cleaning unit introduced into the housing is arranged between the carrier structure and the housing, where the cleaning part preferably presses against the housing in the state filled with the pressure medium.

[0128] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning matrix can be a hose-shaped body.

[0129] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning matrix can be a flat strip of material, preferably a diaphragm, where at least one end, preferably at least two ends, of the flat strip of material, preferably the diaphragm, can be connected to the carrier structure preferably along the outer contour of the carrier structure.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning matrix can be an extruded profile and / or an extruded double profile.

[0131] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning support has a foam material and / or a fabric formation and / or a non-woven material.

[0132] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning support has a sponge and / or a non-woven fabric.

[0133] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning support has a brush lip or consists of it.

[0134] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning support is wetted or not wetted.

[0135] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the spatial extent, preferably the outer diameter, of the cleaning unit

[0136] - in the case of an unfilled cleaning part, is smaller than the spatial extent, preferably the outer diameter, of the cleaning unit in the case of a filled cleaning part, and / or

[0137] - in the case of an unfilled cleaning part, is smaller than the spatial extent, preferably the inner diameter, of the housing, and / or

[0138] - in the case of a filled cleaning part, is at least equal to or greater than the spatial extent, preferably the inner diameter, of the housing.

[0139] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the pressure medium is a gas or a liquid, preferably compressed air.

[0140] Gases or liquids as pressure media can bring different advantages. For example, gases are compressible and can thus better balance excessive pressures. Liquids are almost incompressible and thus transmit pressure with little pressure loss. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0141] Other details and advantages of the preferred design examples of the present invention are explained in more detail below in the drawing description based on the reference drawings. Here in the drawings:

[0142] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a medical imaging device is shown;

[0143] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a preparation station is shown;

[0144] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Two schematic perspective views of an implementation variant of a cleaning unit are shown;

[0145] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Two schematic side views of two implementation variants of a device having a preparation station and a cleaning unit are shown;

[0146] Figures 7 to 9 Three schematic side views of two implementation variants of a device having a preparation station, a cleaning unit, and a medical imaging device are shown;

[0147] Figure 10 and Figure 11 Two schematic side views of another implementation variant of a device having a preparation station, a cleaning unit, and a medical imaging device are shown; and

[0148] Figure 12 A schematic top view of a device having different positions of a cleaning unit, a medical imaging device, and a preparation station is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0149] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a medical imaging device 4 is shown.

[0150] Figure 1 The medical imaging device 4 in [[ ]] is a medical imaging device 4 having a scanner unit 20, a patient accommodation area 2 at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit 20, and a housing 3 surrounding the patient accommodation area 2.

[0151] Such a medical imaging device 4 can have at least one cleaning unit 1, wherein the cleaning unit 1 can be movable within the housing 3.

[0152] Such a medical imaging device 4 may have an operating device 23 and an output device 24.

[0153] Such a medical imaging device 4 may have a mobile device 18. The mobile device 18 may have a moving patient table 19, a mobile drive 25, and a control and adjustment unit 26.

[0154] The mobile device 18 may move the patient table 19 in at least one direction 21, 22, preferably in a first direction 21 and in a second direction 22.

[0155] The housing 3 may have an inner contour 9, where the inner contour 9 may be circular or arcuate as Figure 1 shown therein.

[0156] The housing 3 and / or the inner contour 9 of the housing 3 may have a spatial extent 11 of the housing 3.

[0157] The medical imaging device 4 may have a light strip 28 in the housing 3 for illuminating the patient accommodation area 2 within the housing 3.

[0158] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a preparation station 7 is shown.

[0159] Figure 2 A preparation station 7 for a cleaning unit 1 is shown, where the cleaning unit 1 is arranged to clean the housing 3 of the medical imaging device 4 that surrounds the patient accommodation area 2, where the cleaning unit 1 has a carrier structure 5 and cleaning components 6, where the preparation station 7 is separated from the medical imaging device 4 and arranged near the medical imaging device, and where the preparation station 7 has at least one preparation device by which the cleaning unit 1 is prepared for subsequent cleaning.

[0160] Figure 2 The preparation station 7 in [] has an upper part and a lower table that are substantially annular, specifically arcuate, and the upper part is arranged on the lower table.

[0161] Nozzles for applying a cleaning agent may be arranged along the inner contour of the upper part within the upper part. The nozzles are application devices 32, where for reasons of clarity in [] not each nozzle is individually marked with a reference numeral. If the cleaning unit 1 is within the upper part or, in other words, when the cleaning unit 1 is arranged such that the cleaning unit 1 is surrounded by the preparation station 7, specifically the application device 32, the cleaning agent may be applied to the cleaning components 6 of the cleaning unit 1. Figure 2

[0162] Figure 2 ​The preparation station 7 therein has a deformation device 12 for deforming the cleaning part 6, wherein the deformation device 12 has a deformation drive 13, a pressure medium, and a connection line 14 for detachably or non-detachably connecting the cleaning part 6 to the deformation drive 13 preferably, wherein the pressure medium can be filled into the cleaning part 6 and / or taken out from the cleaning part 6 by means of the deformation drive 13, and wherein the cleaning part 6 can be deformed by filling and / or taking out the pressure medium.

[0163] The deformation drive 13 can be, for example, an air compressor, which conveys air from the surroundings through the connection line 14 and thus fills the cleaning part 6 with compressed air.

[0164] Figure 2 The preparation station 7 therein has a moving device 18 with two moving tracks, wherein coupling devices 30 are respectively arranged on the two moving tracks for detachably connecting the cleaning unit 1 to the preparation station 7 on the front side and the upper side of the moving tracks. Thus, the cleaning unit 1 can be arranged at the front side and / or the upper side of the moving tracks.

[0165] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of an implementation variant of the cleaning unit 1 in an unfilled state is shown.

[0166] The cleaning unit 1 can have a carrier structure 5 and a cleaning part 6.

[0167] The carrier structure 5 can have a base part 27 and an annular part 29, wherein the base part 27 can have at least one coupling device 30 for detachably connecting to the moving device 18.

[0168] The position of the coupling device 30 can be set on the base part 27 and / or the annular part 29. For the case where the moving device 18 for moving the cleaning unit 1 has a patient table 19 and / or the moving device 18 is a device separated from the medical imaging device, different positions of the at least one coupling device 30 can be advantageous.

[0169] The number and position of the at least one coupling device 30 can be set as needed. The presented implementation variant should not be understood as restrictive.

[0170] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The annular part 29 of the carrier structure 5 therein has an outer contour, which approximately depicts a complete circle, specifically an arc with an angle of more than 180°. It can be set that the carrier structure 5 has an outer contour, which has a complete circle or an incomplete circle, specifically an arc.

[0171] The cleaning member 6 may have a cleaning base body 15 and a cleaning support portion 16, wherein the cleaning base body 15 may be arranged between the carrier structure 5 (specifically, the annular member 29 and / or the outer contour of the carrier structure 5) and the cleaning support portion 16.

[0172] It may be arranged that the cleaning member 6 extends further across the circular arc of the annular member 29 up to the base member 27. In this way, not only the inner side of the cladding 3 but also at least one side of the light band 28, specifically the upper side of the light band 28, can be cleaned. By means of Figure 3 and Figure 4 in the embodiment variant, the cleaning member 6 also covers (überdeckt, sometimes referred to as sweeping over) the gap between the light band 28 and the base member 27.

[0173] The cleaning support portion 16 may be implemented as flexible, so that the cleaning support portion 16 adapts to the shape of the cleaning base body 15. In Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the shape of the outer contour of the cleaning base body 15 substantially corresponds to the shape of the outer contour of the cleaning support portion 16 arranged on the cleaning base body 15.

[0174] In Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the shape of the outer contour of the carrier structure 5 substantially corresponds to the outer contour 8 of the cleaning member 6, specifically the shape of the outer contour of the cleaning support portion 16 arranged on the cleaning member 6 in Figure 3 and Figure 4 .

[0175] In Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the shape of the outer contour 8 of the cleaning member 6 is substantially circular, specifically arcuate.

[0176] In order to preferably connect the cleaning member 6 to the connecting line 14 detachably or non-detachably, the cleaning member 6 may have an interface 31. The interface may be closable and may be opened and / or closed manually or automatically.

[0177] Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment variant of the cleaning unit 1 in the filled state is shown.

[0178] Regarding Figure 3 the discussion is similarly applicable to Figure 4 .

[0179] In Figure 3In [the above], the cleaning part 6 does not have a filled state, that is, it has an unfilled state. Importantly, the outer contour 8 of the cleaning part 6 has a spatial extent 10 that is smaller than the spatial extent 10 of the cleaning part 6 in the filled state and / or smaller than the spatial extent 11 of the cladding 3. In other words, importantly, the outer contour 8 of the cleaning part 6 in the unfilled state does not contact the cladding.

[0180] It can be clearly seen in Figure 4 that the spatial extent 10 of the cleaning part 6 is greater than Figure 3 the spatial extent 10 of the cleaning part 6 in [the above]. The filled state of the cleaning part 6 can be achieved by filling a pressure medium into the cleaning part 6 by a deformation device 12.

[0181] It should be noted here that the cleaning unit 1 can have at least two cleaning parts 6 of the same type or at least two cleaning parts of different types.

[0182] Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of an implementation variant of a device having a preparation station 7 and a cleaning unit 1, wherein the cleaning unit 1 is arranged at the front side of a mobile device 18, specifically a mobile track, and is in the unfilled state as in Figure 3 [the above].

[0183] In Figure 5 and all subsequent Figures 6 to 10 the dashed lines represent the covered design features. Thus, for example, in Figure 5 and Figure 6 the coupling device 30 is presented in dashed lines because this coupling device is not visible from the outside in the side views in Figure 2 for the implementation variant in Figure 5 and Figure 6 [the above].

[0184] Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of an implementation variant of a device having a preparation station 7 and a cleaning unit 1, wherein the cleaning unit 1 is arranged at the upper side of a mobile device 18, specifically a mobile track, and is in the unfilled state as in Figure 3 [the above].

[0185] Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of an implementation variant of a device having a preparation station 7, a cleaning unit 1 (which is in the filled state as in Figure 4 [the above]) and a medical imaging device 4.

[0186] Figure 7There is shown a device which has a preparation station 7 according to the invention and has a medical imaging device 4, wherein the medical imaging device 4 has a scanner unit 20, a patient accommodation area 2 at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit 20, and a housing 3 surrounding the patient accommodation area 2, and the device further has a cleaning unit 1 for cleaning the housing 3. Additionally provided is a mobile device 18 separated from the preparation station 7 and the medical imaging device 4.

[0187] In Figure 7 the patient table 19 of the separated mobile device 18 located next to the left side of the medical imaging device 4 extends so far that a part of the patient table 19 is in the patient accommodation area 2 within the housing 3. The cleaning unit 1 is detachably connected to the preparation station 7 as presented in Figure 5 therein.

[0188] In Figure 7 the mobile device 18 of the preparation station 7 can move the cleaning unit 1 into the housing 3 and / or move the cleaning unit 1 out of the housing.

[0189] Figure 8 There is shown a device from Figure 7 wherein preferably the transfer of the cleaning unit 1 from the preparation station 7 to the patient table 19 of the separated mobile device 18 has taken place inside or outside the housing 3. A corresponding return transfer can be provided. In this way, the cleaning unit 1 can be used for cleaning the housing 3 by means of the patient table 19. For the transfer of the cleaning unit 1, coupling devices 30 are provided at the separated mobile device 18, the cleaning unit 1, and the mobile device 18 of the preparation station 7.

[0190] Compared with Figure 7 it can be well seen from the cleaning unit 1, specifically from the cleaning part 6, that the cleaning unit 1, specifically the cleaning part 6, is pressed against the housing 3 in the filled state in Figure 8 therein.

[0191] Figure 9 There is shown a schematic side view of another embodiment variant of a device having a preparation station 7, a cleaning unit 1 (which is in the filled state as in Figure 4 therein) and a medical imaging device 4.

[0192] In Figure 9 the embodiment variant therein, the mobile device 18 of the preparation station 7 is dimensioned such that the mobile device 18 of the preparation station 7 can perform a method for cleaning the housing 3 in addition to the method for preparing the cleaning unit 1, because the moving track is implemented to be long enough.

[0193] In Figure 9As can be seen, the cleaning unit 1 can move from the first opening to the second opening inside the housing 3 by means of the moving device 18 of the preparation station 7 in order to clean the entire length of the housing 3.

[0194] Figure 10 and Figure 11 The figure shows a device having a preparation station 7 according to the invention and having a medical imaging device 4, wherein the medical imaging device 4 has a scanner unit 20, a patient accommodation area 2 at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit 20, and a housing 3 surrounding the patient accommodation area 2, and having a cleaning unit 1 for cleaning the housing 3. Additionally, a moving device 18 separated from the preparation station 7 and the medical imaging device 4 is provided.

[0195] Different from Figures 7 to 9 In the implementation variant in [reference], the preparation station 7 does not have its own moving device 18. The movement of the cleaning unit 1 is realized in this embodiment only by means of a moving device 18 separated from the medical imaging device 4 and the preparation station 7 together with the attached patient table 19.

[0196] In Figure 10 and Figure 11 In this embodiment, the transfer of the cleaning unit 1 takes place inside the preparation station 7, in which the cleaning unit is arranged, preferably parked and / or prepared as in Figure 10 The patient table can move up to the preparation station 7, then receive the cleaning unit 1 and move the cleaning unit 1 away from the preparation station 7, into the housing 3 and move the cleaning unit 1 inside the housing 3 in at least one direction 21, 22.

[0197] Figure 12 The figure shows a schematic top view of an implementation variant of a device having a preparation station 7, a cleaning unit 1 (which is in a filled state as in Figure 4 In this case, the preparation station 7 is presented at three different positions. It is not mandatory that there are three preparation stations 7, however Figure 12 should exemplarily illustrate the different possibilities of the positioning of the preparation station 7. Nevertheless, more than one preparation station 7 can also be provided for such a device, for example when more than one cleaning unit 1 should be used, which is advantageous.

[0198] As Figure 12 presented in [reference], it can be arranged that the preparation station 7 is arranged along the closed side of the medical imaging device 4, specifically the scanner unit 20 (next to the left side in Figure 12 ), or at the open side of the medical imaging device 4, specifically the scanner unit 20 (at the top in Figure 12 ).

[0199] It can also be arranged such that the preparation station 7 is arranged along the enclosed side of the medical imaging device 4, specifically the scanner unit 20 (at the Figure 12 lower left corner in

[0200] ). When the preparation station 7 is arranged along the enclosed side of the medical imaging device 4, specifically the scanner unit 20, the cleaning unit can be reciprocally transferred between the preparation station 7 and the medical imaging device 4 manually and / or preferably partially automatically, particularly preferably fully automatically, by means of a transfer device via a short path.

[0201] When the preparation station 7 is arranged along the open side of the medical imaging device 4, specifically the scanner unit 20, the cleaning unit can be reciprocally transferred between the preparation station 7 and the medical imaging device 4 manually and / or preferably partially automatically, particularly preferably fully automatically, and / or preferably partially automatically, particularly preferably fully automatically, by means of at least one mobile device 18 via a short path.

[0202] In an embodiment variant having at least one mobile device 18, preferably at least two mobile devices 18 as presented in Figures 7 to 9 , it can be advantageous if the preparation station 7 is arranged at the opening of the medical imaging device 4, specifically the scanner unit 20. Particularly preferably, it can be arranged as presented in Figure 12 such that the preparation station 7 is arranged near that opening of the medical imaging device 4, specifically the scanner unit 20, which is opposite to another opening of the medical imaging device 4, specifically the scanner unit 20, and the separate mobile device 18 together with the patient table 19 is arranged near that other opening.

[0203] In Figure 12 , it can be well seen from the cleaning unit 1, specifically the cleaning part 6, as in Figure 8 and Figure 9 , that the cleaning unit 1, specifically the cleaning part 6, is pressed against the housing 3. Thereby, the spatial extent 10 of the cleaning unit 1 corresponds to the spatial extent 11 of the housing 3, because the housing 3 restricts the spatial extent 10 of the cleaning part 6 filled with the pressure medium, in other words, the cleaning part 6 in the filled state.

[0204] List of Reference Numerals

[0205] 1 Cleaning unit

[0206] 2 Patient accommodation area

[0207] 3 Housing

[0208] 4 Medical imaging device

[0209] 5 Carrier structure

[0210] 6 Cleaning component

[0211] 7 Preparation station

[0212] 8 Outer contour of the cleaning component

[0213] 9 Inner contour of the cladding

[0214] 10 Spatial extent of the cleaning unit

[0215] 11 Spatial extent of the cladding

[0216] 12 Deformation device

[0217] 13 Deformation drive

[0218] 14 Connection line

[0219] 15 Cleaning substrate

[0220] 16 Cleaning support

[0221] 17 Outer contour of the cleaning substrate

[0222] 18 Moving device

[0223] 19 Patient table

[0224] 20 Scanner unit

[0225] 21 First direction

[0226] 22 Second direction

[0227] 23 Operating device

[0228] 24 Output device

[0229] 25 Moving drive

[0230] 26 Control and regulation unit of the moving device

[0231] 27 Base part

[0232] 28 Light strip

[0233] 29 Ring part

[0234] 30 Coupling device

[0235] 31 Interface

[0236] 32 Application device

Claims

1. A method for preparing a cleaning unit (1) by means of a preparation station (7) which is separate from a medical imaging device (4) and arranged in the vicinity of the medical imaging device, wherein the cleaning unit (1) is provided for cleaning an enclosure (3) of the medical imaging device (4) which surrounds a patient accommodation area (2), wherein the cleaning unit (1) has a carrier structure (5) and a cleaning component (6), wherein - moving the cleaning unit (1) towards the preparation station (7) and - Subsequently, at least one preparation step is performed, by which the cleaning unit (1) is prepared for subsequent cleaning.

2. The method according to claim 1 , comprising at least one of the following method steps: - the cleaning unit (1) is detachably connected to the preparation station (7), preferably by means of a coupling device (30), - loading the power storage device and / or the energy storage device, - deforming, preferably bulging, the cleaning element (6) by filling it with a pressure medium or by withdrawing the pressure medium, - placing, preferably tensioning, the cleaning support (16) of the cleaning element (6) onto the cleaning base (15) of the cleaning element (6), preferably along the outer contour (17) of the cleaning base (15), - preferably, before, during and / or after the cleaning support (16) of the cleaning element (6) is placed on the cleaning substrate (15) of the cleaning element (6), the cleaning agent is applied and / or introduced onto and / or into the cleaning support (16) of the cleaning element (6).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one of the following method steps: - disassembling the cleaning unit (1) which is detachably connected to the preparation station (7), preferably by means of a coupling device (30), - transferring the cleaning unit (1) between the medical imaging device (4) and the preparation station (7), - connecting the cleaning unit (1) to the medical imaging device (4) in a detachable manner, - Disassembling the cleaning unit (1) from the medical imaging device (4).

4. A method for cleaning a housing (3) surrounding a patient accommodation area (2) of a medical imaging device (4), - by means of a cleaning unit (1), wherein the cleaning unit (1) has a carrier structure (5) and a cleaning element (6), and - by means of a preparation station (7) which is preferably separated from the medical imaging device (4) and arranged in the vicinity of the medical imaging device, the preparation station having at least one preparation device and having at least one movement device (18), wherein the cleaning unit (1) is detachably connected to the preparation station (7), o Among them, at least one preparation step, preferably according to at least one of the preceding claims, is performed by the at least one preparation device, by which the cleaning unit (1) is prepared for subsequent cleaning, and o Wherein, cleaning is performed by moving the prepared cleaning unit (1) inside the medical imaging device (4) in at least one direction (21, 22), preferably in at least two directions.

5. A preparation station (7) for preparing a cleaning unit (1), wherein the cleaning unit (1) is configured to clean a housing (3) surrounding a patient accommodation area (2) of a medical imaging device (4), wherein the cleaning unit (1) has a carrier structure (5) and a cleaning component (6), wherein the preparation station (7) is separated from the medical imaging device (4) and arranged in the vicinity of the medical imaging device, wherein the preparation station (7) has at least one preparation device, by means of which the cleaning unit (1) is prepared for subsequent cleaning.

6. The preparation station (7) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one preparation device is - a coupling device (30) for detachably connecting the cleaning unit (1) to the preparation station (7), - a loading device for loading the power storage device and / or the energy storage device, - a deformation device (12) for deforming the cleaning element (6), - a placement device for placing the cleaning support (16) of the cleaning element (6) onto the cleaning base (15) of the cleaning element (6) or - an application device (32) for applying a cleaning agent onto and / or into the cleaning support (16) of the cleaning element (6).

7. A preparation station (7) according to claim 6, wherein the deformation device (12) has a deformation drive (13), a pressure medium and a connecting line (14), wherein the connecting line is used to connect the cleaning component (6) to the deformation drive (13) preferably in a detachable or non-detachable manner, wherein the pressure medium can be filled into the cleaning component (6) and / or removed from the cleaning component (6) with the aid of the deformation drive (13), wherein the cleaning component (6) can be deformed by filling with the pressure medium and / or removing the pressure medium.

8. The preparation station (7) according to any one of the preceding claims 6 or 7, wherein the cleaning support (16) can be placed, preferably tensioned, onto the cleaning substrate (15) by means of the placement device, preferably along the outer contour (17) of the cleaning substrate (15).

9. A preparation station (7) according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, wherein the placement device has a placement drive and a connecting device, the connecting device being used to be preferably detachably or non-detachably connected to the cleaning support part (16), wherein the cleaning support part (16) connected to the connecting device can be moved by the placement drive onto the cleaning substrate (15) to an operating position, preferably able to be unrolled from a roll.

10. A preparation station (7) according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 9, wherein the cleaning agent can be applied to the cleaning support (16) and / or in the cleaning support (16) by means of the application device (32) before, during and / or after the cleaning support (16) is placed on the cleaning substrate (15).

11. A preparation station (7) according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 10, wherein the application device (32) has at least one spray nozzle and / or a storage tank and / or a reservoir and / or an application roller and / or an application roller for applying the cleaning agent to the cleaning support (16). 12 . The preparation station ( 7 ) according to claim 5 , wherein a storage container with a plurality of cleaning supports ( 16 ) is provided, preferably wherein the cleaning supports ( 16 ) are pretreated with a cleaning agent.

13. A preparation station (7) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 12, wherein a transfer device is provided for transferring the cleaning unit (1) between the preparation station (7) and the medical imaging device (4), wherein the transfer device can be manually driven and / or motorized.

14. A preparation station (7) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 13, wherein a mobile device (18) is provided, wherein a cleaning unit (1) detachably connected to the preparation station (7) can be moved toward and / or away from the medical imaging device (4) and / or moved inside the medical imaging device (4) in at least one direction (21, 22), preferably in at least two directions, by means of the mobile device (18).

15. Preparation station (7) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 14, wherein the preparation station (7) as a whole is mobile, preferably movable by rollers, or is stationary. 16 . The preparation station ( 7 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the carrier structure ( 5 ) is dimensionally stable and / or the cleaning element ( 6 ) is elastically deformable.

17. The preparation station (7) according to any of the preceding claims 5 to 16, wherein the electronic components for preparing the cleaning unit (1) are predominantly, preferably completely, arranged at or in the preparation station (7).

18. A device having a preparation station (7) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 17 and having a medical imaging device (4), wherein the medical imaging device (4) has a scanner unit (20), a patient accommodation area (2) at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit (20) and a shell (3) surrounding the patient accommodation area (2), and the device also has a cleaning unit (1) for cleaning the shell (3).

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the preparation station (7) is arranged along a closed side of the scanner unit (20) or at an open side of the scanner unit (20).

20. The device according to claim 18 or 19, having a movement device (18) separate from the preparation station (7), preferably together with a patient table (19), wherein The cleaning unit (1) can be transferred from the preparation station (7) to a separate mobile device (18), preferably to the patient table (19), and / or the cleaning unit (1) can be transferred from a separate mobile device (18), preferably from the patient table (19) to the preparation station (7).

Images