IMAGING DEVICE, AIR DUCT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN IMAGING DEVICE

Description

[0001] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identity are included.

[0002] The invention relates to an imaging device, an air duct device and a method for operating an imaging device.

[0003] Infection prevention in clinical settings is based on two main pillars: hand hygiene (disinfection) and the processing of relevant surfaces (surface hygiene). Cleaning and disinfecting hands and relevant surfaces removes potential or visible contamination and reduces the risk of infection. Droplet infection plays a crucial role in the transmission of infectious diseases caused by viruses (e.g., influenza, chickenpox, or measles). The pathogens, which are located in the throat or respiratory tract, are released into the air through tiny saliva droplets when sneezing, coughing, or speaking. These aerosols are inhaled by other people or absorbed directly through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

[0004] Aerosols generally consist of solid or liquid particles of various sizes. A large proportion are in the 100 µm range. However, a proportion of significantly smaller particles, smaller than 5 µm or smaller than 2.5 µm, can also be assumed. Source: DGUV Rule 102-001, September 2019 edition, on "Rules for Safety and Health when Working with Biological Agents in Classrooms" of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). While droplets with a diameter of 100 µm take about 6 seconds to descend from a height of 2 m to the floor, droplets with a diameter of 10 µm require 10 minutes to travel the same distance, and droplets with a diameter of 1 µm require 16.6 hours. Source: Kappstein, Ines. Nosocomial Infections: Prevention, Laboratory Diagnostics, Antimicrobial Therapy; 122 tables. Germany, Thieme, 2009. Smaller particles therefore remain in the air longer, can be distributed throughout the room via air movement and influence the infection process.

[0005] Smaller particles therefore remain in the air longer and can be distributed throughout the room through air movement.

[0006] The COVID-19 pandemic has once again brought the issue of droplet infection into the public spotlight, demonstrating that not only immunocompromised people are at high risk for such infectious diseases, especially if the disease is undiagnosed or unknown in advance. On the other hand, the pandemic has also demonstrated how effective sensible preventive measures can be in reducing transmission.

[0007] For some imaging procedures, there is an increased risk of droplet infection in a confined examination space, such as the scanning tube of an MRI scanner. The following problems may occur during this procedure: 1. Tiny droplets can accumulate and float in the collection tube due to natural convection. 2. Floating tiny droplet aerosols can be transported from the collection tube into the examination room where the imaging device is located by convective air currents or thermal natural convection. 3. Larger aerosol droplets can contaminate the surface in the collection tube and the patient handling system.

[0008] To date, appropriate hygiene and protective measures tailored to the specific infectious disease have been applied, e.g., medical face masks or FFP2 protective functions, full-body suits, etc. In addition, a range of filter solutions are available on the market, e.g., based on HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air / Arrestance) filters, UVC, or plasma-based processes that decontaminate the room air accordingly. Combinations of these devices, hereinafter referred to as "filter systems," are also available. However, the prerequisite for these systems is that the system performance and air volume flows are precisely tailored to the respective application. Determining the contamination of the contaminated air using aerosols also contributes significantly to targeted air decontamination.

[0009] To disinfect, sterilize, or purify air, it must be technically treated in an airflow. This airflow depends crucially on the geometry. With mechanical filters, the air must be forced through the filter 4 to 16 times under high pressure and energy consumption, generating considerable noise.

[0010] If the air flow is treated with UV lamps, the systems must be designed for a moderate airflow. Common ozonizers / ionizers / plasma systems require large interaction chambers, which also limit the airflow. What all of these systems have in common is that, due to their elongated, cubic or oblong design, they are used as central units.

[0011] Recently, mobile surface decontamination devices or stationary UVC lamps have also been used for surface decontamination. A disadvantage of these commercially available solutions is the integration into the MRI system, the size of the unit, or the space required in the building to improve the effectiveness of the decontamination process. Commercially available solutions are based on electromagnetic discharges and a comparatively slow disinfection effect through radicals. These may also include a UV lamp.

[0012] With regard to medical devices, CN203524686U discloses a CT scanner with a self-cleaning function. This document discloses a sterilization unit based on UVC, plasma, or ozone for the CT scanner. Selective measurement, extraction, decontamination, and discharge of potentially contaminated air are not disclosed in the publication.

[0013] It should be noted here that a validated disinfection measure for a surface must result in a germ reduction of 5 log levels (EU) or 6 log levels (USA). The effect on enveloped or non-enveloped viruses must also be demonstrated using suitable methods as part of the validation process. For UVC-based processes, the dose rate required for effective and efficient air decontamination depends heavily on the wavelength of the UVC source used and the residence time of the room air in the corresponding filter unit. Experience from surface decontamination with UVC has shown that, depending on the distance and dose rate, long irradiation times are sometimes necessary to ensure high germ killing. Disinfection is also difficult to achieve with plasma-based devices. Therefore, the term "decontamination" is used in the preceding and following sections.

[0014] DE 10 2020 216 423 A1 discloses a system for disinfecting surfaces and / or room air. For this purpose, at least one UV source is arranged on a medical device and / or in a medical examination and / or treatment room in such a way that it is suitable for disinfecting irradiation of at least one surface and / or at least one air stream.

[0015] DE 20 2021 104 249 A1 discloses a magnetic resonance apparatus with an air supply unit. The air supply unit is designed to supply fresh air to a patient receiving area of ​​the magnetic resonance apparatus surrounded by a scanner unit. For this purpose, the air supply unit includes an air disinfection unit.

[0016] From CN 203 524 686 U a CT device is known with a self-cleaning function, which comprises a frame and a disinfection device integrated on the frame for receiving disinfection and control information and which performs the corresponding disinfection and control functions.

[0017] CN 215 607 847 A discloses an internal air disinfection device for a medical CT rack.

[0018] It is an object of the invention to provide a filter device which enables more efficient decontamination of air in a receiving tube of an imaging device.

[0019] This object is achieved by the respective subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0020] A first aspect of the invention relates to an imaging device, comprising a receiving tube for receiving an object to be examined by the imaging device, wherein the receiving tube has a first receiving tube half facing a receiving opening of the receiving tube and a second receiving tube half facing away from the receiving opening. The imaging device can be, for example, an imaging device for performing computed tomography or for performing magnetic resonance imaging. The receiving opening can be designed as a tunnel, which can be at least partially enclosed by the imaging device. The receiving tube can be provided to receive a patient or an object to be examined. The receiving tube can have the receiving opening through which the patient to be examined or the object to be examined can be moved into the receiving tube.

[0021] The object to be examined can be located in the recording tube during the examination by the imaging device and can therefore be arranged in a detection area of ​​the imaging device.

[0022] It is provided that the imaging device has an air duct device that is configured to suck air from the receiving tube at an intake device of the air duct device, to guide the sucked air through an air filter device of the air duct device for decontamination, and to discharge the decontaminated air into the receiving tube at an output device of the air duct device. In other words, the imaging device comprises the air duct device that is configured to effect an air exchange in the receiving tube. To effect the air exchange, the air duct device has the intake device that is configured to supply the air from the receiving tube to the air duct device. The intake device can, for example, comprise openings or intake tubes that can be arranged on a wall of the receiving tube.The intake device can have an element for generating a negative pressure, for example a fan, whereby air from the intake tube can be guided into the air duct device. The air duct device has the air filter device, which is intended to decontaminate the intake air. The air duct device is configured to guide the air sucked in from the intake tube through the air filter device to enable the air to be decontaminated by the air filter device. The decontaminating can comprise inactivating germs and / or filtering out aerosols from the intake air by the air filter device. The air filter device can be configured as a mechanical, electrostatic, preferably plasma-based and / or UV-based filter device.The air duct device has an output device configured to discharge the contaminated air from the air duct device into the receiving tube. The output device may, for example, comprise openings and / or nozzles on the wall of the receiving tube, through which the air is guided from the air duct device into the receiving tube after decontamination.

[0023] The air duct device is configured to guide a main air flow of air from the output device to the intake device along the receiving tube, wherein the main air flow runs through the receiving tube in a direction of a receiving opening of the receiving tube. In other words, the air duct device is configured to provide a main air flow of air within the receiving tube. The main air flow of air runs within the receiving tube from the output device to the intake device. The main air flow is guided through the air duct device along a direction that is aligned with the receiving opening of the receiving tube. For example, it can be provided that the intake device is arranged between the output device and the receiving opening of the receiving tube with respect to a longitudinal direction of the receiving tube.This causes the air discharged from the discharge device to be drawn into the intake device, creating the main airflow from the discharge device toward the intake opening. The main airflow flows into the intake device, preventing the main airflow from exiting the intake tube through the intake opening.

[0024] The invention provides the advantage that the air duct device in the receiving tube generates the main airflow, which can supply a patient located in the receiving tube with decontaminated air. At the same time, the suction device prevents contaminated air from the main flow from escaping from the receiving tube and thus contaminating a room in which the imaging device may be located.

[0025] The invention also includes further developments which result in further advantages.

[0026] A further development of the invention provides that the air duct device has an air barrier device configured to discharge at least a portion of the decontaminated air to create an air barrier in the receiving tube between the intake device and the receiving opening. In other words, the air duct device is configured to discharge the air decontaminated by the filter device not only through the discharge device into the receiving tube to provide the main air flow, but also to discharge a portion of the decontaminated air through the air barrier device into the receiving tube. The air barrier device is configured to provide the air barrier in the receiving tube by discharging the air.The air barrier device can be configured to discharge the decontaminated air to be discharged by the air barrier device into the receiving tube along one or more predetermined directions at predetermined velocities, which are parameterized such that the discharged air forms the air barrier. The air can have a barrier flow through which the effect of the air barrier can be exerted. The barrier flow can run from the air barrier device to the intake device within the receiving tube. The air barrier device can be arranged, for example, on a side of the receiving tube opposite the intake device. The barrier flow can run transversely to a longitudinal direction of the receiving tube.

[0027] This refinement offers the advantage that the air barrier reduces or prevents air exchange between the air in the receiving tube and the environment through the receiving opening. This can reduce the risk of aerosols contained in the air in the receiving tube leaving the receiving tube at the receiving opening.

[0028] A further development of the invention provides that the dispensing device comprises at least one free-jet nozzle. In other words, the dispensing device comprises one or more free-jet nozzles for dispensing the decontaminated air into the receiving tube. The free-jet nozzle is configured to dispense the dispensed decontaminated air in a predetermined jet direction. For example, it can be provided that the dispensing device extends into the receiving tube. The free-jet nozzle can be configured to dispense the jet in the longitudinal direction of the receiving tube. This allows the decontaminated air to be dispensed, for example, in the main flow direction as soon as it is dispensed.

[0029] A further development of the invention provides that the air barrier device is configured to discharge the portion of the decontaminated air for providing the air barrier in the receiving tube to a guide rail device of the imaging device arranged in the receiving tube. In other words, the imaging device has the guide rail device, which is configured to guide a support for an examination object or a patient into the receiving tube. The guide rail device can, for example, comprise two guide rails, which can be arranged on an underside of the receiving tube or generally a lower half of the receiving tube and can run along the longitudinal direction of the receiving tube. The air barrier device is configured to discharge the air for creating the air barrier entirely or at least partially via the guide rail device.For example, it can be provided that the air duct device is designed to supply the air to the air barrier device, wherein the air barrier device can have a duct which leads through the guide rail device to an opening of the air barrier device arranged on or in the guide rail device, at which opening the air is discharged into the receiving tube to create the air barrier.

[0030] A further development of the invention provides that the air duct device is configured to guide the main air flow within an upper half of the receiving tube. In other words, the main air flow is arranged above a horizontal plane located in the center of the receiving tube.

[0031] A further development of the invention provides that the air duct device is configured to guide the main airflow within an upper half of the receiving tube. In other words, the main airflow is arranged above a horizontal plane located in the center of the receiving tube. This provides the advantage that the airflow can be guided over a patient.

[0032] A further development of the invention provides that the air duct device is configured to regulate the output of the decontaminated air at the output device and the intake of the air at the intake device such that the main air flow through the receiving tube has a laminar flow characteristic. In other words, the air duct device is configured to adjust both the output of the decontaminated air at the output device and the intake of the air at the intake device. The air duct device is configured to regulate the output and intake of the air such that the main air flow has laminar flow characteristics. The laminar flow characteristic describes that the air flows mainly laminarly along the main air flow. The laminar flow characteristic relates to the primary flow behavior, apart from unavoidable turbulence at edge regions.For example, it can be provided that a control unit of the air duct device stores values ​​for the discharge and intake speeds required for the main air flow to exhibit laminar flow characteristics. These values ​​can, for example, have been determined in advance in a flow simulation. This refinement offers the advantage of preventing air turbulence.

[0033] A further development of the invention provides that the air duct device comprises a further suction device configured to suck in air from the surroundings of the imaging device, wherein the air duct device is configured to supply the air sucked in from the surroundings for decontamination through the air filter device of the air duct device. In other words, the air duct device is configured to suck in the air from the surroundings of the imaging device at the further suction device. This further development provides the advantage that, for example, decontamination of the ambient air can be enabled or additional air can be sucked in to provide the air barrier.

[0034] A further development of the invention provides that the air duct device comprises a further output device configured to output at least a portion of the decontaminated air into the environment of the imaging device. In other words, the air duct device is configured to output at least a portion of the decontaminated air at the further output device into the environment of the imaging device.

[0035] A further development of the invention provides that the air filter device is configured as a plasma filter device. In other words, the air filter device is configured to generate a plasma for decontaminating the air passing through. The plasma can be configured to emit UV-C rays, which decontaminate the air.

[0036] A further development of the invention provides that the air filter device comprises at least one electrode device. The plasma filter device is a filter device for filtering a gas, for example, for filtering air, wherein a plasma is generated to filter the gas. The generated plasma emits UV radiation, which can, for example, inactivate or kill aerosols or germs present in the gas, or deactivate particles.

[0037] It is provided that the electrode device has a first flat composite electrode and a second flat composite electrode. The composite electrodes can, for example, be arranged in an antisymmetric electromagnetic potential contour. In other words, the electrode device comprises the first composite electrode and the second composite electrode. The composite electrodes of the electrode device can, in particular, be configured as surface elements. It is provided that the composite electrodes of the electrode device are arranged coplanar to one another in a main surface plane of the electrode device and are spatially separated from one another by a discharge gap. In other words, the composite electrodes of the electrode device are located in the main surface plane of the electrode device. A discharge gap is located between the composite electrodes of the electrode device.The discharge gap is a gap in the electrode device formed by the composite electrodes for passing the gas to be filtered. It is provided that each of the composite electrodes has a respective electrode sheet, which has a respective dielectric coating at least at an interface between the respective electrode sheet and the discharge gap. In other words, the electrodes are provided as composites comprising the respective electrode sheet and a dielectric coating located on the respective electrode sheet. The dielectric coating is applied to the electrode sheet at least at an interface adjacent to the discharge gap between the respective composite electrode and the discharge gap.

[0038] The filter device comprises a voltage source configured to provide an alternating voltage to the electrode device, wherein the alternating voltage is parameterized to induce the formation of a plasma by a dielectric barrier discharge in the discharge gap. In other words, the filter device comprises the voltage source. The voltage source is configured to provide the alternating voltage to the electrode device in order to induce the formation of the plasma in the discharge gap.

[0039] The filter device is configured to guide a gas through the discharge gap along a filter flow direction that is aligned parallel to a normal of the main surface plane of the electrode device. In other words, the filter device comprises fluidic guide elements, for example, tube elements, that are configured to influence or determine a filter flow direction of the gas such that the gas is guided through the discharge gap parallel to the normal of the main surface plane.

[0040] The filter flow direction runs parallel to the normal of the main surface plane of the electrode device. In other words, the main flow direction runs perpendicular to the electrode device. The gas thus flows perpendicularly through the electrode device through the discharge gap. Due to the plasma generated in the discharge gap by the dielectric discharge, the gas in the area of ​​the discharge gap is decontaminated. Decontamination can be achieved by UVC radiation, which can be emitted by the plasma, and / or by ozone, which can form in the discharge gap if the gas is air.

[0041] This further development has the advantage that the discharge gap provides a particle trap in which particles remain longer than molecules of the gas itself. Due to the longer residence time of the particles in the area of ​​the discharge gap, they are exposed to plasma effects such as radicals and UVC over a longer period of time, which increases the probability of inactivation of the particles (example: with a UVC power of 100W / m2 and a residence time of only 1s, this results in a dose rate of 100 J / m2. Coronaviruses are already 90% completely inactivated at 37 J / m2).

[0042] A further development of the invention provides that the air filter device is arranged in an electromagnetic shielding tube and / or an electromagnetic shielding container. In other words, the air filter device is arranged at least partially through a shielding tube and / or a shielding container for shielding electromagnetic radiation and static fields. This further development provides the advantage that electromagnetic radiation that can be emitted by the air filter device does not impair the measurements of the imaging device.

[0043] A second aspect of the invention comprises an air duct device for an imaging device. The air duct device is configured to draw air from a receiving tube at an intake device of the air duct device, to direct the drawn air through an air filter device of the air duct device for decontamination, and to discharge the decontaminated air into the receiving tube at an output device of the air duct device. The air duct device can be provided for integrated arrangement in the imaging device or as a retrofit element for existing imaging devices.

[0044] Further embodiments of the air duct device according to the invention follow from the various embodiments of the imaging device according to the invention.

[0045] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating an imaging device, comprising a receiving tube for receiving an object to be examined by the imaging device. The method comprises sucking air from the receiving tube through a suction device of the air duct device, passing the sucked air through an air filter device of the air duct device to decontaminate the air through the air duct device, and discharging the decontaminated air at an output device of the air duct device.

[0046] It is provided that a main air flow of the air is guided through the air duct device from the output device to the intake device along the receiving tube, wherein the main air flow runs through the receiving tube in a direction of a receiving opening of the receiving tube.

[0047] Further embodiments of the method according to the invention follow from the various embodiments of the imaging device according to the invention and the air duct device according to the invention.

[0048] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0049] The invention is explained in more detail below using specific embodiments and associated schematic drawings. In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements may be provided with the same reference numerals. The description of identical or functionally equivalent elements may not necessarily be repeated for different figures. The figures show: FIG 1 a schematic representation of an imaging device; FIG 2 a schematic representation of a receiving tube with a guide rail device; FIG 3 a schematic representation of a flow velocity along the receiving tube; FIG 4 a schematic representation of a flow velocity along the receiving tube when an air barrier is provided; and FIG 5 a schematic representation of a filter device.

[0050] In FIG 1a schematic representation of an imaging device 1 is shown.

[0051] The imaging device 1 can be, for example, an imaging device 1 for computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The imaging device 1 can have a pickup tube 2, which can be provided for receiving an object 3 to be examined. To examine the object 3, it may be necessary to move the object 3 to be examined through a receiving opening 4 of the pickup tube 2 into the pickup tube 2. The object 3 can be, for example, a patient.

[0052] Due to the patient's presence in the receiving tube 2, it may be necessary to supply the patient with air. For this purpose, the imaging device 1 may have an air duct device 5. It may be necessary to decontaminate contaminated air, which may be released by the patient, for example, in order to prevent exposure to the patient and / or the deposition of germs on a surface of the receiving tube 2. At the same time, it may be necessary to prevent the contaminated air from escaping from the receiving opening 4 of the receiving tube 2 into the environment of the imaging device 1.

[0053] For this purpose, it can be provided that the air duct device 5 has a suction device 6, which can be configured to suck in air from the receiving tube 2. The air can, for example, contain aerosols, which may require the air to be passed through an air filter device 7 of the air duct device 5 for decontamination. The suction device 6 can preferably be arranged in the vicinity of the receiving opening 4 of the receiving tube 2 in order to prevent the contaminated air from escaping from the receiving tube 2. The suction device 6 can, in particular, be arranged on an upper half of the receiving tube 2. The air filter device 7 can, for example, be configured as a plasma filter, which is configured to decontaminate the contaminated air by generating UV radiation through the plasma 28.The air duct device 5 can be configured to supply the decontaminated air after leaving the air filter device 7 to an output device 8 in order to output the decontaminated air into the receiving tube 2.

[0054] The output device 8 can be arranged on a side of the receiving tube 2 facing away from the receiving opening 4, so that the decontaminated air is output in an area of ​​the receiving tube 2 in which the patient's face is usually located. The suction device 6 and the output device 8 can be arranged such that a main air flow 10 of the air runs from the output device 8 to the suction device 6 through the receiving tube 2 in the direction of the receiving opening 4 of the receiving tube 2. The main air flow 10 can run in particular in an upper half of the receiving tube 2. The air duct device 5 can have a control unit 9, which can control the suction device 6, the air filter device 7, and the output device 8 in order to influence a volume of an air flow.This may make it possible, for example, to control the output device 8 and the intake device 6 such that the air flowing along the main air stream 10 has a laminar flow characteristic. For this purpose, control values ​​can be stored in the control unit 9, which are to be adjusted in the output device 8 and the intake device 6 in order to enable the laminar flow characteristic of the main stream. The intake device 6 can be arranged between the receiving opening 4 and the output device 8 with respect to a longitudinal direction of the receiving tube 2 in order to prevent the air of the main stream from escaping from the receiving opening 4.

[0055] The air duct device 5 can have an air barrier device 11, which can be configured to create an air barrier 12 between the suction device 6 and the receiving opening 4. This can prevent air from escaping from the receiving opening 4. To provide the air barrier 12, it can be provided that at least a portion of the decontaminated air is discharged through the air barrier device 11 along a predetermined direction to generate a predetermined barrier flow 13. The barrier flow 13 can cause air circulation, which can lead to the formation of the air barrier 12. The air barrier device 11 can be configured to discharge the barrier flow 13 via a guide rail device 14 of the imaging device 1.

[0056] It can be provided that the air duct device 5 has a further intake device 16, which can be configured to intake air from the environment of the imaging device 1. The air sucked in from the environment can also be guided through the air duct device 5 for decontamination by the air filter device 7. This can provide for the intake of additional air from the environment, for example, to provide the barrier flow 13. The air duct device 5 can have a further output device 17, through which a portion of the decontaminated air can be supplied to the environment.

[0057] The air duct device 5 may comprise a shielding container 15 which at least partially encloses the air filter device 7 in order to prevent the measurement of the imaging device 1 from being impaired by electromagnetic radiation which may be emitted by the air filter device 7.

[0058] In FIG 2 a schematic representation of a receiving tube 2 with a guide rail device 14 is shown.

[0059] For example, it may be provided that the air barrier device 11 comprises two openings through which a portion of the decontaminated air can be discharged in predetermined directions to form the barrier flow 13. The barrier flow 13 may, for example, be guided along a transverse direction of the receiving tube 2 to form the air barrier 12 along the transverse direction of the receiving tube 2.

[0060] In FIG 3 a schematic representation of a flow velocity along the receiving tube 2 is shown.

[0061] Shown is an area of ​​increased air velocity starting from the output device 8 of the air duct device 5 in the receiving tube 2.

[0062] In FIG 4a schematic representation of a flow velocity along the receiving tube 2 when an air barrier 12 is provided is shown.

[0063] FIG 4 shows the simulation results for the air circulation in the receiving tube 2 through the air barrier 12. It can be seen that this arrangement prevents contaminated air from being transported out of the receiving tube 2.

[0064] FIG 5 shows a schematic representation of an air filter device 7.

[0065] The air filter device 7 can have a holding device 29, which can be provided for arranging the electrode devices 18, the dust filter 30, and the activated carbon filter 31 in predetermined positions. A feed point can be arranged on the holding device, which can be provided for supplying the electrode devices 18 with the alternating voltage of the voltage source 27. In order to achieve a passage of the air along the filter flow direction 32, one or two tubes can be arranged on the air filter device 7, which tubes can be arranged on the holding device 29 via a flange.

[0066] The electrode device 18 of the air filter device 7 can have a first composite electrode 19 and a second composite electrode 20. The first composite electrode 19 and the second composite electrode 20 can lie in a main surface plane 21 of the electrode device 18 and be planar. The first composite electrode 19 and the second composite electrode 20 can, for example, be arranged coplanar to one another.

[0067] The composite electrodes 19, 20 may have been manufactured from a source sheet, which may have been divided into a first electrode sheet 23 and a second electrode sheet 24 by providing a discharge gap 22 in the source sheet, wherein the first electrode sheet 23, 24 and the second electrode sheet 23, 24 may be separated from one another by the discharge gap 22. The two composite electrodes 19, 20 may each have an electrode sheet 23, 24 coated with a respective dielectric coating 25, 26, whereby the respective electrodes may be composites. The electrode sheet 23, 24 of the respective composite electrode 19, 20 may, for example, be made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, and / or stainless steel.The dielectric coating 25, 26 of the respective composite electrode 19, 20 can be applied to the respective electrode sheet 23, 24 at least at an interface between the respective composite electrode 19, 20 and the discharge gap 22. The function of the dielectric coating 25, 26 can be to enable a dielectric discharge in the discharge gap 22 when a correspondingly parameterized electrical alternating voltage is applied to the electrode device 18. The dielectric coating 25, 26 can comprise one or more polymers as a material. The possible polymers can include, for example, fluoroplastics, in particular polyvinylidene difluoride and / or polytetrafluoroethylene. Graphite fluoride can also be admixed with the at least one polymer. The dielectric coating 25, 26 can also comprise one or more ceramics as a material, in particular barium titanate.

[0068] In the following description, the term "air filter device 7" is used for a structure that includes a filter unit, a power supply, a shield for shielding electromagnetic radiation, and all relevant cables and other connections. The air filter device 7 can also be referred to as a decontamination device.

[0069] The air filter device 7 can be provided for arrangement in an air duct device 5 for cleaning air / aerosols in the receiving tube 2 of the imaging device 1.

[0070] It may be provided to create a predetermined flow pattern in the receiving tube 2 of the imaging device 1 to prevent contaminated air from escaping from the receiving tube 2. The flow pattern may include an air barrier 12, also known as an air curtain.

[0071] The air filter device 7 can enable decontamination of air using plasma 28. The air filter device 7 can be arranged with a relatively high efficiency and tailored geometry into the existing air duct device 5 of an imaging device 1. Alternatively, it may be possible for the air filter device 7 to be arranged as a separate unit adapted to the imaging device 1.

[0072] Due to the small installation space of the air filter device 7, effective measures to ensure electromagnetic compatibility can be implemented.

[0073] To decontaminate the air inside the receiving tube 2, the output device 8 and the intake device 6 can be adapted compared to known imaging devices 1. Due to safety aspects, such as protecting the patient or the operator from helium in the event of leakage or quenching, an additional intake device 16 can be arranged at the bottom of the imaging devices 1. The air sucked in from the environment by the additional intake device 16 can be guided to an output device 8 in the receiving tube 2 directly above the patient.

[0074] The air filter device 7 can be placed at any suitable location in the air duct device 5. The standard dimensions of the pipes used in the air duct device 5 can, for example, have a diameter of 55 mm. The air throughputs can, for example, be 250 to 300 m³ / h. Simulation results based on these requirements show that a minimum size of an electrode of the air filter device 7 of 84 x 56 x 1 mm could be suitable. Due to this very small size, effective measures for electromagnetic compatibility, for ensuring RF and B field compatibility, can be implemented for the use of the air filter device 7 in an imaging device 1. This can be made possible by installing the air filter device 7 and a plasma current generator of the air filter device 7 in a metal pipe. The metal pipe can, for example, be made of stainless steel.

[0075] To ensure that contaminated air is passed through the air filter device 7, an intake device 6 can be attached to the intake opening 4 of the intake tube 2. This intake device 6 can be adjusted with respect to the air volume flow within the intake tube 2 and the laminar air flow above the patient so that the contaminated air within the intake tube 2 is completely replaced.

[0076] In order to generate a constant laminar airflow over the patient in the receiving tube 2, the output device 8 may comprise tailor-made free jet nozzles which may be placed on a side opposite in a longitudinal direction to the suction device 6.

[0077] Spatial separation of the air flow in the receiving tube 2 can be achieved by stopping the main flow moving further in the direction of the receiving opening 4. For this purpose, at least a portion of the decontaminated air can be directed through the air barrier device 11 into the receiving tube 2. The air barrier device 11 can comprise two air inlets located on the left and right guide rails of the guide rail device 14 within the receiving tube 2.

[0078] By using the described air filter device 7, an extension of the maintenance interval of the filter can be made possible compared to air filter devices 7 according to the prior art, which require an annual change.

[0079] An air filter device 7 based on the principle of dielectric discharge is a cost-effective, virtually maintenance-free, flat, scalable, and universally applicable, energy-efficient plasma filter unit for air disinfection. This preventative technology is suitable for universal use against airborne infections. This makes plasma technology an ideal, energy-efficient improvement over conventional mechanical filters, such as HEPA filters, which require the highest differential pressure, and the universally effective inactivation of pathogens by UV-C radiation, which requires large interaction paths.While plasma-induced radical reactions and UV-C radiation inactivate gaseous compounds, odors, microorganisms and viruses, conventional, largely maintenance-free self-sterilizing filter elements take over the mechanical separation of dust particles and aerosols in a technical combination of complementary individual elements.

[0080] Central mechanical HEPA filters can be replaced by the compact air filtration device 7, which can incorporate plasma electrodes. This drastically reduces the generation of hazardous waste. Only a self-sterilizing dust and moisture pre-filter at the inlet and a thin activated carbon filter 31 at the outlet of the plasma electrodes of the air filtration device 7 remain. Thanks to the air filtration device 7, additional UV lamps and the associated technology can be eliminated while providing a stronger disinfection effect.

Claims

1. Imaging apparatus (1) having a tubular receptacle (2) for receiving an object (3) that is to be examined by the imaging apparatus (1), wherein the imaging apparatus (1) has an air channel device (5) which is configured to draw air from the tubular receptacle (2) at an intake device (6) of the air channel device (5), to guide the drawn-in air through an air filter device (7) of the air channel device (5) for the purpose of decontamination, and to output the decontaminated air into the tubular receptacle (2) at an output device (8) of the air channel device (5), characterised in that the air channel device (5) is configured to guide a main airstream (10) of the air along the tubular receptacle (2) from the output device (8) to the intake device (6), wherein the main airstream (10) runs through the tubular receptacle (2) towards a receptacle opening (4) of the tubular receptacle (2).

2. Imaging apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the output device (8) has at least one free-jet nozzle.

3. Imaging apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air channel device (5) has an air barrier device (11) which is configured to output at least a portion of the decontaminated air for the purpose of generating an air barrier (12) in the tubular receptacle (2) between the intake device (6) and the receptacle opening (4).

4. Imaging apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the air barrier device (11) is configured to output the portion of the decontaminated air for providing the air barrier (12) in the tubular receptacle (2) at a guide rail device (14) of the imaging apparatus (1), said guide rail device (14) being arranged in the tubular receptacle (2).

5. Imaging apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air channel device (5) is configured to guide the main airstream (10) within an upper half of the tubular receptacle.

6. Imaging apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air channel device (5) is configured to adjust an output of the decontaminated air at the output device (8) and the intake of the air at the intake device in such a way that the main airstream (10) through the tubular receptacle (2) has a laminar flow characteristic.

7. Imaging apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air channel device (5) comprises a further intake device (16), which is configured to draw air from an environment of the imaging apparatus (1), wherein the air channel device (5) is configured to supply the drawn-in air from the environment for decontamination by an air filter device (7) of the air channel device (5).

8. Imaging apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air channel device (5) comprises a further output device (17), which is configured to output at least a portion of the decontaminated air into an environment of the imaging apparatus (1).

9. Imaging apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air filter device (7) is configured as a plasma filter.

10. Imaging apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein the air filter device (7) comprises: - at least one electrode device (18), wherein the electrode device (18) has a first planar composite electrode (19) and a second planar composite electrode (20), wherein - the composite electrodes (19, 20) of the electrode device (18) are arranged in a reciprocally coplanar manner in a principal surface plane (21) of the electrode device (18) and are physically separated from each other by a discharge gap (22), and wherein - each of the composite electrodes (19, 20) has a respective electrode plate (23, 24) with a respective dielectric coating (25, 26) at least at a boundary surface of the respective electrode plate (23, 24) relative to the discharge gap (22), - the plasma (28) filter device has a voltage source (27) which is configured to supply an alternating voltage to the electrode device (18), wherein - the alternating voltage is parameterised to cause the formation of a plasma (28) by means of a dielectric barrier discharge in the discharge gap (22), and - the plasma (28) filter device is configured to guide the air along a filter flow direction (32), this being oriented parallel to a normal of the principal surface plane (21) of the electrode device (18), and through the discharge gap (22).

11. Imaging apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air filter device (7) is arranged in a screening tube and / or a screening container (15).

12. Method for operating an imaging apparatus (1) which has a tubular receptacle (2) for receiving an object (3) that is to be examined by the imaging apparatus (1), comprising the steps: drawing air from the tubular receptacle (2) by means of an intake device (6) of an air channel device (5) of the imaging apparatus (1), guiding the drawn-in air through the air channel device (5) for the purpose of decontamination by an air filter device (7) of the air channel device (5); outputting the decontaminated air into the tubular receptacle (2) by means of an output device (8) of the air channel device (5), characterised in that a main airstream (10) of the air is guided along the tubular receptacle (2) from the output device (8) to the intake device (6) by means of the air channel device (5), wherein the main airstream (10) runs through the tubular receptacle (2) towards a receptacle opening (4) of the tubular receptacle (2).