Cleaning unit for cleaning housing surrounding patient receiving area

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning unit (1) for cleaning a housing (3) of a medical imaging device (4) that surrounds a patient receiving area (2), comprising a carrier structure (5) and a cleaning element (6), the cleaning element (6) of the cleaning unit (1) introduced into the housing (3) being arranged between the carrier structure (5) and the housing (3), the cleaning element (6) is preferably pressed against the housing (3) in the state of being filled with a pressure medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to

[0002] - a cleaning unit for cleaning a housing that encloses a patient accommodation area of a medical imaging device, the cleaning unit having a carrier structure and a cleaning component,

[0003] - a medical imaging device having such a cleaning unit, and

[0004] - a method for cleaning such a medical imaging device. Background Art

[0005] Medical imaging devices are used in radiology and are, for example, MRT devices and CT devices. During use, medical imaging devices are 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 of the medical imaging device, specifically on the housing.

[0006] Here, manual cleaning is carried out using a cleaning tool optionally fixed to a rod, as disclosed, for example, in US 5918342.

[0007] The disadvantage here is that this type of cleaning is very cumbersome and / or the cleaning personnel are very close to or even partially 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 discomforting.

[0008] 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 perform wiping cleaning in such a way that the cleaning unit moves from one end of the housing to the other end of the housing.

[0009] The disadvantage here is that after the first movement of the cleaning unit and the wiping of the housing, when the cleaning unit moves back to the initial position, it at least partially re-contaminates the housing again, because the 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 high-overhead mechanism for compensating for tolerances must be provided. The associated deviations and / or inaccuracies have a negative impact on the cleaning efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a cleaning unit that is improved compared to the prior art, which cleaning unit is characterized in particular by reliable cleaning of a medical imaging device. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a medical imaging device having such a cleaning unit and a method for cleaning such a medical imaging device.

[0011] This object is achieved by the features of the present invention.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by means of a cleaning unit according to the present invention, i.e., a cleaning unit for cleaning the housing of a medical imaging device that encloses a patient accommodation area, the cleaning unit having a carrier structure and cleaning components, wherein the cleaning components of the cleaning unit introduced into the housing are arranged between the carrier structure and the housing, and wherein the cleaning components preferably pressingly abut against the housing in a state filled with a pressure medium.

[0013] "Cleaning" is understood herein 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.

[0014] By virtue of the state of the cleaning components filled with the pressure medium, it is ensured that the cleaning components abut against the housing. In the unfilled state, the cleaning components do not abut against the housing. Depending on the pressure of the pressure medium filling the cleaning components, the abutting pressure can be controlled. A lower pressure of the pressure medium results in a weakly pressing abutment, whereas a higher pressure of the pressure medium results in a strongly pressing abutment.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by means of a cleaning unit according to the present invention, i.e., a cleaning unit for cleaning the housing of a medical imaging device that encloses a patient accommodation area, the cleaning unit having a carrier structure and cleaning components, wherein the cleaning components are arranged along the contour of the carrier structure, preferably the outer contour, and wherein the cleaning components can be deformed by filling with a pressure medium.

[0016] "Can be deformed" is understood herein as meaning 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 extension of the object change, 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 extension of the object remain unchanged, for example when a sphere is elongated along an axis into an ellipsoid. In the case of deformation by filling the cleaning components with a pressure medium, deformation with the first and / or second part can be carried out.

[0017] "A cleaning part that can be deformed by filling with a pressure medium" can be understood here to mean 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.

[0018] The deformable property of the cleaning part achieved by filling with a pressure medium causes a change in the geometry, preferably the outer diameter, the spatial extent and / or the volume of the cleaning part. In this way, contact between the cleaning unit and the housing of the medical imaging device can be caused or avoided purposefully.

[0019] Through these two aspects of the present invention, reliable cleaning of the housing is carried out in such a way that the cleaning part is placed in a filled state, the housing is contacted by the filled cleaning part, and the cleaning part cleans the housing, for example by wiping, when the cleaning unit moves. Once the movement of the cleaning unit along the housing in the first direction is completed, the filled cleaning part can be placed in an unfilled state, and the cleaning unit with the unfilled cleaning part moves back to the initial position without contact. Here, no re-contact between the cleaning part and the housing occurs, thereby avoiding recontamination.

[0020] "An unfilled cleaning part" or "a cleaning part in an unfilled state" is a cleaning part that is not filled with a pressure medium, where the unfilled cleaning part of the cleaning unit introduced into the housing does not contact the housing.

[0021] In the unfilled state, the cleaning part is under the action and / or stress of the atmospheric pressure surrounding the cleaning part and / or optionally under the action and / or stress of the medium present in the cleaning part, but never under the pressure action of the housing, where the medium is not a pressure medium.

[0022] "A partially filled cleaning part" or "a cleaning part in a partially filled state" is a cleaning part that is at least partly filled with a pressure medium, where the partially filled cleaning part of the cleaning unit introduced into the housing does not contact the housing.

[0023] "A filled cleaning part" or "a cleaning part in a filled state" is a cleaning part filled with a pressure medium, where the filled cleaning part of the cleaning unit introduced into the housing contacts the housing.

[0024] In the filled state, the cleaning part is under the action and / or stress of the pressure medium, the atmospheric pressure surrounding the cleaning part, and the housing in contact with the cleaning part, and optionally under the reaction force generated by the deformation of the preferably elastic cleaning part.

[0025] 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 expansion of the cleaning part and ending the contact with the housing.

[0026] 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 expansion of the cleaning part and achieving contact with the housing.

[0027] 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 continued to be filled with the pressure medium, the contact with the housing exists in the form of extrusion, and the extrusion force is determined by the degree of filling of the filled cleaning part.

[0028] The cleaning part can be filled successively multiple times, and at each new filling, the spatial expansion 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 taken out successively multiple times.

[0029] Another advantage is that the filled cleaning part can seal all the gaps between the cleaning unit and the housing, thereby enabling gapless cleaning, such as wiping.

[0030] A further advantage is:

[0031] - A uniform extrusion force of the filled cleaning part onto the housing can be achieved.

[0032] - The manufacturing tolerances of the housing, and the manufacturing tolerances of the positioning of the mobile device, such as the moving patient table and / or the patient table guiding device, relative to the housing and / or inside the housing can be compensated.

[0033] - The different dimensions, preferably the inner diameters, of different types of housings of different models of medical imaging devices can be compensated.

[0034] - After cleaning the housing, when the cleaning part moves, a gap between the cleaning part and the housing is simply provided.

[0035] - Preparation work or maintenance work, such as replacing the cleaning unit or individual parts of the cleaning unit, can always be performed from the same side of the medical imaging device.

[0036] 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 cleaning unit according to the present invention, the medical imaging device according to the present invention having such a cleaning unit and / or the method according to the present invention for cleaning such a medical imaging device. Of course, each feature or component can also be present in a larger quantity. Thus, for example, the cleaning unit according to the present invention can have more than one cleaning component, more than one carrier structure, etc. Thus, in this sense, for example, the quantifier "one" should reasonably be understood as at least one, and so on.

[0037] Other advantageous embodiments of the device are defined in the examples.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, it is provided that the outer contour of the carrier structure and / or preferably the outer contour of the filled cleaning component corresponds to the inner contour of the housing and is preferably curved, particularly preferably circular.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the outer contour of the unfilled cleaning component corresponds to the inner contour of the housing, wherein a gap is provided between these contours.

[0040] In other words, if one contour corresponds to another contour, then the one contour follows the other contour.

[0041] By means of the mutually corresponding, and preferably curved, particularly preferably circular contours of the carrier structure and / or the cleaning component and the housing, a gapless contact can be achieved even more reliably, since the filled cleaning component hardly has to compensate for shape deviations.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the carrier structure is dimensionally stable and / or the cleaning component is elastically deformable.

[0043] By means of the elastic deformability of the cleaning component, a higher pressure of the pressure medium can be achieved and thus a greater spatial expansion. Thus, the cleaning component can also better and more flexibly adapt to the housing and / or be more tightly squeezed.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the carrier structure and / or the cleaning component has at least one non-metallic material or consists of it, preferably at least one non-metallic material has at least one of the following materials or consists of it:

[0045] - natural materials, particularly preferably graphite,

[0046] - polymer materials, particularly preferably elastomers, thermoplastics, thermosets, copolymers,

[0047] - Inorganic materials, particularly preferably ceramics or glass,

[0048] - Composite materials, particularly preferably reinforced fiber composites or laminate composites.

[0049] By avoiding metallic materials in the cleaning unit, negative effects on the magnetic field of a medical imaging device can be avoided or at least reduced, such as damage to the device, risk of injury, higher installation overhead, maintenance, etc.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, the spatial extent of the cleaning unit, preferably the outer diameter

[0051] - In the case of an unfilled cleaning component, is less than the spatial extent of the cleaning unit, preferably the outer diameter, in the case of a filled cleaning component, and / or

[0052] - In the case of an unfilled cleaning component, is less than the spatial extent of the housing, preferably the inner diameter, and / or

[0053] - In the case of a filled cleaning component, is at least equal to or greater than the spatial extent of the housing, preferably the inner diameter.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, the pressure medium is a gas or a liquid, preferably compressed air.

[0055] Using a gas or a liquid as the pressure medium can bring different advantages. For example, a gas is compressible, so it can better balance excessive pressure. A liquid is almost incompressible, so it transmits pressure with almost no pressure loss.

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, a deformation device is provided, wherein the deformation device has a deformation driver, a pressure medium, and a connection line for connecting the cleaning component to the deformation driver, preferably detachably or non-detachably, wherein the pressure medium can be filled into the cleaning component and / or removed from the cleaning component by means of the deformation driver, and wherein the cleaning component can be deformed by filling and / or removing the pressure medium.

[0057] "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, and the detachable connection can subsequently be loosened without damage, such 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 "connection capable of being disassembled without damage", "detachably connected without damage", and "capable of being disassembled without damage detachably connected".

[0058] "Non-detachable connection", "connected non-detachably", and "capable of being connected non-detachably" can be understood to mean that at least two components that were initially separate from each other can be connected to each other, where this 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 the reconnection of the at least two components difficult or impossible. Thus, "non-detachable connection", "connected non-detachably", and "capable of being connected non-detachably" can also be referred to as "connection that cannot be disassembled without damage", "connected in a manner that cannot be disassembled without damage", and "capable of being connected in a manner that cannot be disassembled without damage".

[0059] In a preferred embodiment 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.

[0060] A control and regulation device can be provided, by means of which the amount of the pressure medium and / or the pressure to be achieved inside the filled cleaning component can be controlled and / or regulated.

[0061] At least one sensor, preferably a pressure sensor, can be provided in order to monitor the state of the filled and / or unfilled cleaning component.

[0062] The control and regulation device can be connected to the sensor.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, the cleaning component has a cleaning base body and a cleaning support part, preferably where the cleaning support part is placed along the outer contour of the cleaning base body.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning base body can be a hose-shaped body.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning base body can be a flat material strip, preferably a diaphragm, where at least one end, preferably at least two ends, of the flat material strip, preferably the diaphragm, can be connected to a carrier structure, preferably along the outer contour of the carrier structure.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning base body can be an extruded profile and / or an extruded double profile.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning support part has a foam material and / or a fabric formation and / or a non-woven material.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning support part has a sponge and / or a non-woven fabric.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning support has or consists of a brush lip.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning support is wetted or not wetted.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, a placement device is provided, wherein the cleaning support can be placed, preferably tensioned, on the cleaning substrate along the outer contour of the cleaning substrate by means of the placement device.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment variant, it can be provided that the placement device has a placement drive and a connecting device for preferably detachably or non-detachably connecting to the cleaning support, wherein the cleaning support connected to the connecting device can be moved to the operating position on the cleaning substrate by the placement drive and preferably unwound from a roll.

[0073] By means of the placement device, the placement, preferably tensioning, of the cleaning support can be at least partially automated, whereby the maintenance effort of the cleaning unit can be reduced and / or reliable maintenance can be achieved.

[0074] In the operating position of the cleaning support, the cleaning support is arranged on the cleaning part 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.

[0075] By means of the placement device, the removal of the cleaning support from the cleaning unit can be carried out, or in other words, the de-placement of the cleaning support of the cleaning unit can be carried out. In a preferred embodiment variant, it is thus possible to remove preferably a first used cleaning support and / or place preferably a second unused cleaning support.

[0076] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, an application device is provided for applying a cleaning agent to or into the cleaning support, wherein the cleaning agent can be applied by means of the application device before, during and / or after placing the cleaning support on the cleaning substrate.

[0077] The "cleaning agent" can be understood here as a known medium for cleaning, such as soap, disinfectant (such as alcohol) and / or fungicide.

[0078] The application and / or introduction of the cleaning agent onto and / or into the cleaning support can be at least partially automated by means of an application device, whereby the maintenance effort of the cleaning unit can be reduced and / or more reliable maintenance can be achieved. In addition, higher cleaning flexibility and higher user-friendliness can be achieved thereby. For example, the time point for wetting the non-woven fabric can be defined within the cleaning method by selecting the corresponding application device. Additionally or alternatively, the non-woven fabric can be wetted multiple times.

[0079] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, the cleaning unit can be moved inside the medical imaging device by means of a mobile device, preferably wherein the mobile device is a moving patient table of the medical imaging device or a mobile device separate from the medical imaging device.

[0080] In the case of a moving patient table as the mobile device, the advantage is that the patient table is an existing mobile device of the medical imaging device and other functions, specifically the function of cleaning the housing, can be achieved by coupling with the cleaning unit.

[0081] In a preferred implementation variant, it can be provided that the cleaning unit is preferably detachably or non-detachably connectable to the mobile device or is detachably or non-detachably connected to the mobile device. By means of a coupling device for preferably detachably or non-detachably connecting the cleaning unit to the mobile device, the cleaning unit can be moved into the housing, and / or moved inside the housing, and / or moved out of the housing by means of the mobile device. After or during detaching the cleaning unit from the mobile device, the cleaning unit can be parked inside the housing or at the opening or next to the opening of the patient accommodation area.

[0082] In a preferred implementation variant, it can be provided that at least one additional cleaning component is provided, preferably wherein the at least one additional cleaning component is particularly preferably arranged directly adjacent to the cleaning component.

[0083] In a preferred implementation variant, it can be provided that the at least one additional cleaning component is arranged along the contour, preferably the outer contour, of the carrier structure or along the contour, preferably the outer contour, of at least one additional carrier structure.

[0084] In the case where the additional cleaning component and the cleaning component are arranged on the same carrier structure, the width of the carrier structure can be correspondingly adapted to two or more cleaning components.

[0085] The additional cleaning component, or in other words, at least two cleaning components of a single cleaning unit provide the advantage of improving the cleaning effect.

[0086] Here, for example, it can be provided that two cleaning members are used simultaneously in the case of strong contamination. On the other hand, it can also be provided that the housing can be cleaned with the first cleaning member in a first direction, and the housing can be cleaned with the second cleaning member in a second direction, specifically in a direction opposite to the first direction and returning towards the initial position. Therefore, the housing can be cleaned twice directly and successively without having to replace the cleaning support after the first cleaning or without one of the cleaning supports re-contaminating the housing.

[0087] There is also provided a medical imaging device having a scanning unit, a patient accommodation area at least partially surrounded by the scanned unit, a housing surrounding the patient accommodation area, and at least one cleaning unit according to the present invention, wherein the cleaning unit is movable within the housing.

[0088] According to a preferred embodiment of the medical imaging device, it is provided that:

[0089] - The unfilled cleaning member is substantially, preferably completely, surrounded by the housing without contact, and

[0090] - The filled cleaning member preferably abuts against the housing without gaps, particularly preferably by extrusion.

[0091] According to a preferred embodiment of the medical imaging device, it is provided that the cleaning unit is preferably non-dismantlable or detachably connected or connectable to a mobile device, preferably to a moving patient table of the medical imaging device.

[0092] In a preferred implementation variant of the medical imaging device, it can be provided that, by means of the mobile device, the cleaning unit can move into the housing and / or can move out of the housing and / or can move within the housing along at least one direction, preferably two directions.

[0093] By means of such a mobile device, at least one movement of the cleaning unit can be automated. In a particularly preferred implementation variant, it can be provided that the cleaning unit moves at least partially, preferably completely, automatically from a parked position into the housing, where the housing is cleaned, and then the cleaning unit is moved back to the parked position. Therefore, the effort for cleaning the housing is reduced.

[0094] A control and regulation device can be provided for moving the cleaning unit.

[0095] Furthermore, there is also provided a method for cleaning a medical imaging device according to the present invention having a cleaning unit according to the present invention, having the following method steps:

[0096] - Providing a cleaning unit having a filled cleaning member, and

[0097] - Clean the housing of the medical imaging device with a filled cleaning component.

[0098] According to a preferred embodiment of the method for cleaning, the method includes at least one of the following method steps:

[0099] - Move the cleaning unit into the housing,

[0100] - Clean the housing with the filled cleaning component along a first direction and / or along a second direction,

[0101] - Provide a cleaning unit with an unfilled cleaning component,

[0102] - Move the unfilled cleaning component inside the housing without contact, preferably along the first direction and / or the second direction,

[0103] - Move the cleaning unit out of the housing.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment of the method for cleaning, it can be provided that the method has at least one, preferably all of the following method steps:

[0105] - Provide a cleaning unit with a filled cleaning component and an additional unfilled cleaning component,

[0106] - Clean the housing along the first direction with the filled cleaning component, - Move the additional unfilled cleaning component inside the housing along the first direction without contact,

[0107] - Provide a cleaning unit with an unfilled cleaning component and an additional filled cleaning component,

[0108] - Move the unfilled cleaning component inside the housing along the second direction without contact,

[0109] - Clean the housing along the second direction with the additional filled cleaning component.

[0110] Through this preferred embodiment of the method, as described above, at least two cleaning components can be used during the cleaning cycle, wherein the at least two cleaning components can be used simultaneously or successively without having to replace the cleaning support, or without the risk of recontamination.

[0111] In a preferred implementation variant of the method for cleaning, it can be provided that the method has at least one, preferably all of the following method steps:

[0112] - Provide a cleaning unit with a filled cleaning component,

[0113] - To provide a filled cleaning part having at least two contact surfaces, the preferably filled cleaning part is shrunk (Einschnüren), preferably along the outer contour of the cleaning part, and / or wherein the orientation of the shrinkage is inclined to, particularly preferably perpendicular to, a first direction, wherein at least one of the at least two contact surfaces preferably bears against the housing in a squeezing manner when the cleaning part is filled,

[0114] - Clean the housing along the first direction by means of at least one contact surface of the filled and shrunk cleaning part.

[0115] - Provide a cleaning unit having an unfilled cleaning part.

[0116] - Move the unfilled cleaning part in the housing along a second direction without contact.

[0117] By a preferred embodiment of the method, when the cleaning unit moves in the housing along the first direction, at least two cleaning steps can be carried out without recontamination.

[0118] For example, the shrinkage of a single cleaning part causes the cleaning part to form two raised portions. Specifically, the single cleaning part is a diaphragm connected to a carrier structure as a cleaning base body and a non-woven fabric arranged on the diaphragm as a cleaning support part. These two raised portions can extend along the outer contour of the cleaning part, and the orientation of the raised portions can be inclined to, preferably perpendicular to, the movement direction of the cleaning unit in the housing. In this way, the first raised portion can perform pre-cleaning in the first direction, while the second raised portion can directly and successively perform post-cleaning in the first direction. When the cleaning unit finishes moving and thus finishes cleaning along the first direction, the cleaning part can be placed in an unfilled state, whereby the two raised portions of the cleaning part no longer contact the housing and can return along the second direction.

[0119] It can be provided that in a filled and shrunk cleaning part having at least two contact surfaces, at least one contact surface contacts the housing and at least one contact surface does not contact the housing.

[0120] In this way, when the cleaning unit moves along the first direction, the housing can be cleaned with at least one first contact surface, while at least one second contact surface does not contact the housing. Subsequently, it can be provided that the filling and / or shrinkage of the cleaning part is / are manipulated such that when the cleaning unit moves along the second direction, the housing is cleaned with the at least one second contact surface, while the at least one first contact surface no longer contacts the housing.

[0121] In a preferred implementation variant, it can be provided that the housing of the medical imaging device is additionally cleaned by means of an irradiation device, preferably by means of UV irradiation.

[0122] A combination for cleaning the housing of a medical imaging device by means of a filled cleaning part and an irradiation device enables more reliable cleaning. Description of the Drawings

[0123] Other details and advantages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. Shown therein are:

[0124] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a medical imaging device is shown;

[0125] Figure 2 Shown is Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the housing of a medical imaging device having a cleaning unit according to the present invention;

[0126] Figure 3 Shown is Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a first implementation variant of the cleaning unit in ;

[0127] Figure 4 Shown is Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a second implementation variant of the cleaning unit in ;

[0128] Figures 5 to 9 Shown are different views of the cleaning unit in in a filled or unfilled state; and Figure 3

[0129] Figures 10 to 12 Shown are different front views of the housing in which the cleaning unit in is arranged in a filled or unfilled state. Figure 3 Detailed Description of the Invention

[0130] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a medical imaging device 4 is shown.

[0131] Figure 1 The medical imaging device 4 in is a medical imaging device 4 having a scanning unit 20, a patient accommodation area 2 at least partially surrounded by the scanning unit 20, and a housing 3 surrounding the patient accommodation area 2.

[0132] Such a medical imaging device 4 may have at least one cleaning unit 1 according to the present invention, wherein the cleaning unit 1 may be movable within the housing 3.

[0133] Such a medical imaging device 4 may include an operating device 23 and an output device 24.

[0134] Such a medical imaging device 4 may have a moving device 18. The moving device 18 may have a moving patient table 19, a moving drive 25, and a control and adjustment unit 26.​​

[0135] Figure 2 shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view inside the housing 3 of a medical imaging device 4 having a cleaning unit 1 according to the present invention.

[0136] Figure 2 The cleaning unit 1 is shown, which is used to clean the housing 3 of a medical imaging device 4 that encloses a patient accommodation area 2. The cleaning unit has a carrier structure 5 and a cleaning member 6. Among them, the cleaning member 6 of the cleaning unit 1 introduced into the housing 3 is arranged between the carrier structure 5 and the housing 3, and is characterized in that the cleaning member 6 preferably presses against the housing 3 in a state filled with a pressure medium.

[0137] For clarity, the cleaning member 6 is omitted in Figure 2 the figure.

[0138] The carrier structure 5 of the cleaning unit 1 may have a base member 27 and an annular member 29. However, it is also conceivable that the carrier structure does not have a base member 27.

[0139] The cleaning unit may have at least one coupling device 30 for preferably detachably or non-detachably connecting to a mobile device 18.

[0140] At least one coupling device 30 may be provided on the carrier structure, preferably on the base member 27 and / or the annular member 29.

[0141] The medical imaging device 4 may have two light bands 28.

[0142] The housing 3 may have an inner contour 9. In the case of a hollow cylindrical housing 3 as shown in Figure 2 the figure, the inner side of the housing 3 corresponds to the circumferential surface of the cylinder. Therefore, the inner contour 9 of the housing may be circular or arc-shaped.

[0143] The cleaning unit 1 may move inside the housing 3 in at least one direction, preferably along a first direction 21 and / or along a second direction 22.

[0144] Figure 3 shows Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a first implementation variant of the cleaning unit 1 shown in the figure.

[0145] The cleaning unit 1 may have a carrier structure 5 and a cleaning member 6.

[0146] The carrier structure 5 may have a base member 27 and an annular member 29, where the annular member 29 may have a coupling device 30 for preferably detachably or non-detachably connecting to a mobile device 18.

[0147] In Figure 3 andFigure 4 In Figure 4 , the annular member 29 of the carrier structure 5 has an outer contour 7 that almost describes a complete circle, specifically, an arc with an angle greater than 180°. It can be provided that the carrier structure 5 has an outer contour 7 that has a complete circle or an incomplete circle, specifically an arc.

[0148] The cleaning member 6 can have a cleaning base 15 and a cleaning support 16, wherein the cleaning base 15 can be arranged between the carrier structure 5 (specifically the annular member 29 and / or the outer contour 7 of the carrier structure 5) and the cleaning support 16.

[0149] The cleaning support 16 can be implemented flexibly such that the cleaning support 16 adapts to the shape of the cleaning base 15. In Figure 3 and Figure 4 In Figure 4 , the shape of the outer contour of the cleaning base 15 basically corresponds to the shape of the outer contour of the cleaning support 16 arranged on the cleaning base 15.

[0150] In Figure 3 and Figure 4 In Figure 4 , the shape of the outer contour 7 of the carrier structure 5 basically corresponds to the shape of the outer contour 8 of the cleaning member 6, specifically corresponding to the outer contour of the cleaning support 16 arranged on the cleaning member 6 in Figure 3 and Figure 4 In Figure 4 .

[0151] In Figure 3 and Figure 4 In Figure 4 , the shape of the outer contour 8 of the cleaning member 6 is basically circular, specifically arc-shaped.

[0152] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a second implementation variant of the cleaning unit 1.

[0153] The foregoing description for Figure 3 similarly applies to Figure 4 .

[0154] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The differences between Figure 3 and Figure 4 are as follows:

[0155] - Figure 4 In Figure 4 , the cleaning member 6 extends further beyond the arc of the annular member 29 to the base member 27, and

[0156] - Figure 4 In Figure 4 , the coupling device 30 is arranged on the base member 27 instead of the annular member 29.

[0157] In Figure 4 In Figure 4 , the cleaning support 16 is further guided as is the cleaning base 15.

[0158] In this way, not only the inner side of the housing 3 can be cleaned, but also at least one side of the light strip 28 can be cleaned, specifically the upper side of the light strip 28.

[0159] The position of the coupling device 30 can be arranged on the base part 27 and / or on the annular part 29. Different positions of the coupling device can be advantageous for the case where the moving device 18 for moving the cleaning unit 1 is a patient table of a medical imaging device, or where the moving device is a device separate from the medical imaging device.

[0160] For Figures 5 to 12 the remaining embodiments, the cleaning support part 16 and the coupling device 30 are not shown in detail for the sake of clarity. However, the cleaning support part 16 and the coupling device 30 can be provided.

[0161] For Figures 5 to 12 the remaining embodiments, considering the cleaning part 6 described in Figure 3 wherein, the cleaning part 6 described in Figure 4 can be additionally and / or alternatively applied.

[0162] 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, for example Figure 3 the cleaning part 6 of Figure 4 and the cleaning part of

[0163] Figure 5 shows Figure 3 a front view of the cleaning unit 1 in the unfilled state in

[0164] In Figure 5 the cleaning part 6 has no or only a small amount of pressure medium. Importantly, the outer contour 8 of the cleaning part 6 has a spatial extension 10, which is smaller than the spatial extension 10 of the cleaning part 6 in the filled state and / or smaller than the spatial extension 11 of the housing 3. In other words, it is important that the outer contour 8 of the cleaning part 6 does not contact the housing in the unfilled state.

[0165] A deformation device 12 can be provided, wherein the deformation device 12 has a deformation driver 13 and a connection line 14. The connection line 14 is used to connect the deformation driver 13 to the cleaning unit 1, specifically to the cleaning part 6. The cleaning unit 1 can have an interface 31 for the connection line 14. The interface can be closable and can be opened and / or closed manually or automatically.

[0166] The deformation driver 13 can be, for example, an air compressor, which conveys air from the environment through the connection line 14 and thus fills the cleaning part 6 with compressed air.

[0167] Figure 6 Shows Figure 3 Cross-sectional view A-A of the cleaning unit 1 in the unfilled state.

[0168] In Figure 6 it can be clearly seen that the cleaning part 6 encloses little or even no pressure medium.

[0169] Figure 7 Shows Figure 3 Front view of the cleaning unit in the filled state.

[0170] In Figure 7 it can be clearly seen that the spatial extension 10 of the cleaning part 6 is greater than Figure 5 the spatial extension 10 of the cleaning part 6 in

[0171] Figure 8 Shows Figure 3 Cross-sectional view A-A of the cleaning unit in the filled state.

[0172] In Figure 8 it can be clearly seen that the cleaning part 6 encloses more pressure medium than in Figure 6

[0173] Figure 9 Shows Figure 3 Different cross-sectional views A-A of the cleaning unit 1, which are filled with pressure medium to different degrees.

[0174] The different filling degrees of the cleaning part 6 are shown from left to right in Figure 9 where the filling degree increases from left to right.

[0175] Figure 9 The first illustration in

[0176] Figure 9 shows the cleaning part 6 in the unfilled state, and the second illustration of the cleaning part 2 with a small amount of pressure medium shows the cleaning part 6 in the partially filled state, where the pressure medium is enclosed by the cleaning part 6. In the case of these two illustrations of the unfilled or partially filled cleaning part, the cleaning part 6 does not contact the housing 3.

[0177] Figure 9 The third illustration in Figure 9 ​The contact surface of the cleaning part 6 shown in the fourth figure with the housing 3 is larger than the contact surface in the third figure.

[0178] As shown in Figure 9 By a higher degree of filling (see the third and fourth figures for this), it is possible to increase the pressing force of the cleaning part 6 relative to the housing 3 and to achieve a better seal in order to achieve even more reliable cleaning.

[0179] In Figure 9 The fifth figure shows that the spatial extension 10 of the filled cleaning part 6 without the resistance of the housing 3 is greater than the spatial extension 11 of the housing 3.

[0180] Figure 10 The front view of the housing 3 of the cleaning unit 1 in which Figure 3 is arranged is shown, and the cleaning unit is in an unfilled state.

[0181] In Figure 10 it can be seen that the cleaning part 6 exists in an unfilled state and thus does not come into contact with the housing 3.

[0182] Figure 11 The front view of the housing 3 of the cleaning unit 1 in which Figure 3 is arranged is shown, and the cleaning unit is in a partially filled state, almost reaching the filled state.

[0183] In Figure 11 it can be seen that the cleaning part 6 has been filled with a small amount of pressure medium compared to Figure 10 , however, the cleaning part 6 is still in a state of only partial filling and thus does not contact the housing 3.

[0184] It should be noted here that in Figure 11 , although the housing 3 used for this is not contacted by the cleaning part 6, the light strip 28 is contacted by the cleaning part 6.

[0185] Figure 12 The front view of the housing of the cleaning unit in which Figure 3 is arranged is shown, and the cleaning unit is in a filled state.

[0186] In Figure 12 it can be seen that the cleaning part 6 surrounds a sufficient amount of pressure medium compared to Figure 10 and Figure 11 and is thus in a filled state. In the shown filled state of the cleaning part 6, the housing 3 is contacted by the filled cleaning part 6.

[0187] As shown in Figure 12As shown, it can preferably be arranged that the filled cleaning part 6 makes gapless, or in other words vacancy-free, contact with the housing 3.

[0188] It should be noted here that in Figure 12 in addition to the housing 3, the light strip 28 is also contacted by the cleaning part 6. However, in this embodiment variant, the entire upper side of the light strip 27 is not contacted. In the case of using Figure 4 the embodiment variant in which the cleaning part 6 extends up to the shoulder of the base part 27, the advantage is that in addition to the housing 3, the entire upper side of the light strip 28 can also be cleaned. By means of Figure 4 the embodiment variant, the cleaning part 6 also covers the Figures 10 to 12 gap visible in

[0189] List of Reference Numerals

[0190] 1 Cleaning unit

[0191] 2 Patient accommodation area

[0192] 3 Housing

[0193] 4 Medical imaging device

[0194] 5 Carrier structure

[0195] 6 Cleaning part

[0196] 7 Contour of the carrier structure, preferably outer contour

[0197] 8 Outer contour of the cleaning part

[0198] 9 Inner contour of the housing

[0199] 10 Spatial extent of the cleaning unit

[0200] 11 Spatial extent of the housing

[0201] 12 Deformation device

[0202] 13 Deformation drive

[0203] 14 Connection line

[0204] 15 Cleaning substrate

[0205] 16 Cleaning support

[0206] 17 Outer contour of the cleaning substrate

[0207] 18 Mobile device

[0208] 19 Patient table

[0209] 20 Scanning unit

[0210] 21 First direction

[0211] 22 Second direction

[0212] 23 Operating device

[0213] 24 Output device

[0214] 25 Mobile drive

[0215] 26 Control and adjustment unit of the mobile device

[0216] 27 Base part

[0217] 28 Light strip

[0218] 29 Ring part

[0219] 30 Coupling device

[0220] 31 Interface

Claims

1. A cleaning unit (1) for cleaning a housing (3) of a medical imaging device (4) surrounding a patient accommodation area (2), the cleaning unit comprising a carrier structure (5) and a cleaning component (6), wherein: A cleaning element (6) of a cleaning unit (1) introduced into a housing (3) is arranged between a carrier structure (5) and the housing (3), characterized in that the cleaning element (6) bears against the housing (3) preferably in a pressed manner when filled with pressure medium.

2. A cleaning unit (1) for cleaning a housing (3) of a medical imaging device (4) surrounding a patient accommodation area (2), the cleaning unit comprising a carrier structure (5) and a cleaning component (6), wherein: The cleaning element (6) is arranged along a contour, preferably an outer contour (7), of the carrier structure (5), characterized in that the cleaning element (6) can be deformed by filling with a pressure medium.

3. The cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The outer contour (7, 8) of the carrier structure (5) and / or the preferably filled cleaning element (6) corresponds to the inner contour (9) of the housing (3), is preferably curved, particularly preferably circular.

4. The cleaning unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spatial extension (10) of the cleaning unit (1), preferably the outer diameter - in the case of an unfilled cleaning element (6), the spatial extension (10), preferably the outer diameter, of the cleaning unit (1) is smaller than in the case of a filled cleaning element (6), and / or - in the case of an unfilled cleaning element (6), is smaller than the spatial extension (11), preferably the inner diameter, of the housing (3), and / or In the case of a filled cleaning element (6), at least equal to or greater than the spatial extension (11), preferably the inner diameter, of the housing (3).

5. The cleaning unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The pressure medium is a gas or a liquid, preferably compressed air.

6. The cleaning unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A deformation device (12) is provided, 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 can be removed from the cleaning component (6) by means 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.

7. The cleaning unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cleaning component (6) comprises a cleaning base (15) and a cleaning support portion (16), wherein the cleaning support portion (16) is preferably placed along an outer contour (17) of the cleaning base (15).

8. The cleaning unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A placement device is provided, wherein the cleaning support (16) can be placed, preferably clamped, onto the cleaning substrate (15) by means of the placement device, preferably along an outer contour (17) of the cleaning substrate (15).

9. The cleaning unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An application device is provided for applying a cleaning agent onto or into the cleaning support (16), wherein the cleaning agent can be applied by means of the application device before, during and / or after the cleaning support (16) is placed on the cleaning substrate (15).

10. The cleaning unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cleaning unit (1) is movable within the medical imaging device (4) by means of a moving device (18), preferably, wherein the moving device (18) is a moving patient table (19) of the medical imaging device (4) or a moving device (18) separate from the medical imaging device (4).

11. A medical imaging device (4) comprising a scanning unit (20), a patient accommodation area (2) at least partially surrounded by the scanning unit (20), a housing (3) surrounding the patient accommodation area (2) and at least one cleaning unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein: The cleaning unit (1) is movable within the housing (3).

12. The medical imaging device (4) according to claim 11, characterized in that The unfilled cleaning element (6) is substantially, preferably completely, surrounded by the housing (3) without contact, and The filled cleaning element ( 6 ) preferably bears against the housing ( 3 ) without any play, particularly preferably in a pressed manner.

13. The medical imaging device (4) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The cleaning unit (1) is preferably connected or connectable to a movement device (18), preferably to a movable patient table (19) of the medical imaging device (4), in a non-detachable or detachable manner.

14. A method for cleaning a medical imaging device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims 11 to 13, the medical imaging device having a cleaning unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising the following method steps: - providing a cleaning unit (1) with a filled cleaning element (6), and - Cleaning the housing (3) of the medical imaging device (4) by means of the filled cleaning element (6).

15. The method according to claim 14, comprising at least one of the following method steps: - moving the cleaning unit (1) into said housing (3), - cleaning the housing (3) along a first direction (21) and / or along a second direction (22) by means of the filled cleaning element (6), - providing a cleaning unit (1) with an unfilled cleaning element (6), - moving the unfilled cleaning element (6) in the housing (3), preferably in a contactless manner, in a first direction (21) and / or in a second direction (22), - removing the cleaning unit (1) from the housing (3).

Images