Cleaning device for a tomography apparatus with an inspection tunnel, and tomography apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning device 10 for a tomography apparatus 1, in particular for an MRT, equipped with an inspection tunnel 4. The cleaning device 10 comprises a nozzle assembly 12 for applying a liquid cleaning agent to the tunnel inner surface 8 facing the tunnel axis, a holding device configured to hold the nozzle assembly 12 in the structural unit 6 of the tomography apparatus 1 so that it is displaceable parallel to the tunnel axis and along the inspection tunnel 4, and a control device 18 configured to set the application of the cleaning agent depending on the movement of the nozzle assembly 12 in a intended cleaning operation.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a tomography apparatus with an inspection tunnel. Furthermore, the invention relates to such a tomography apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Tomography devices, as the name suggests, are used to create cross-sectional images of an examination subject, in particular a patient. One variant for creating cross-sectional images is the use of X-rays, for example in computed tomography devices (abbreviated CT). A further variant is the so-called magnetic resonance tomography (also called nuclear spin tomography), which is used in magnetic resonance tomography devices (abbreviated MRT). Furthermore, combined devices are known, for example positron emission MRT (abbreviated PET-MRT), PET-CT, etc. Tomography devices usually have an examination tunnel into which the subject is pushed. In computed tomography devices, this examination tunnel is formed by a so-called gantry, which carries an X-ray source attached to a rotating ring and, usually on the opposite side, an X-ray detector. In devices based on magnetic resonance tomography (abbreviated MR), the examination tunnel is formed by a magnetic coil arranged in a ring.

[0003] In particular, when examining a patient, cleaning the surface of the tomography device is important to avoid infection from unclean hands when the patient touches it. However, particularly in the case of MRT, the examination tunnel is relatively small, usually about 60 to 70 cm (in terms of diameter), and is often relatively long. Therefore, in tomography devices based on the MR method (especially for whole-body examinations), the length of the tunnel is generally 1 m or more, and some are known to be 1.6 m or more to nearly 3 m long. As can be recognized by the length of this tunnel and the relatively small diameter, access to the inside of the examination tunnel, the "tunnel inner surface," is relatively poor.

[0004] Moreover, modern MRT already have magnetic field strengths of more than 2 Tesla, and in some cases as high as 7 Tesla. This magnetic field strength is usually generated by superconducting magnetic coils, which, however, remain energized and thus magnetic even when the energy supply is switched off. Based on the labor protection regulations, it is necessary not to expose persons to magnetic field strengths of more than 2 Tesla, or equivalent exposures due to time-dependent changes in the magnetic flux density (e.g. during movement in a stray magnetic field).

[0005] This often requires relatively long time intervals and a great deal of (especially time) effort for cleaning the MRT, which can be inconvenient in clinical practice, for example due to hygiene requirements and / or the timing of examination appointments. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to improve the cleaning properties of a tomography apparatus equipped with an inspection tunnel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a cleaning device having the features of claim 1. Likewise, this problem is solved by a cleaning device having the features of claim 13 The problem is solved according to the invention by a cleaning device having the features of claim 1. 20 The problem is solved by the invention by a tomography device having the features of: Advantageous embodiments of the invention and further inventive features, which are partly inventive in themselves, are set out in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0008] The cleaning device according to the invention is designed and provided for a tomography apparatus with an inspection tunnel, in particular an MRT, comprising a nozzle assembly for applying a liquid cleaning agent to the tunnel inner surface facing the tunnel axis, and further comprising a holding device configured to hold the nozzle assembly on a structural unit of the tomography apparatus in a displaceable manner parallel to the tunnel axis (i.e. the axis along which the inspection tunnel extends) and along the inspection tunnel.

[0009] For this reason, the cleaning device is made autonomous in the sense that no manual application of liquid cleaning agent is required, and preferably the cleaning device is completely autonomous, so that in particular only the triggering of the cleaning process, which is carried out autonomously by the cleaning device (preferably monitored or controlled by a control device), is required.

[0010] The term "structural unit" is understood here and below in particular to mean a structural part of the tomography apparatus which is preferably also accessible from the outside, for example a patient bed on which a patient moves in the examination tunnel in the intended operation of the tomography apparatus, or a support structure for this patient bed.

[0011] By "MRT" is meant here and below in particular "pure" magnetic resonance imaging devices as well as combined devices using magnetic resonance, such as PET-MRT or MR-LINAC (the latter including LINACs for radiation therapy).

[0012] The present invention provides the advantages of eliminating the need for cleaning personnel to enter the inspection tunnel, as well as enabling highly repeatable application of cleaning agent across the entire surface (compared to manual application), particularly via the nozzle assembly.

[0013] Preferably, as liquid cleaners, disinfectants are used or a combination of a "typical" cleaner (usually containing a cleaning active substance, e.g. tenside) and a "typical" disinfectant (usually made up mostly of alcohol, etc.).

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the holding device holds the nozzle assembly, in the intended use state, preferably to a patient bed of the tomography apparatus such that the nozzle assembly moves with movements of the patient bed, in other words the nozzle assembly is fixed to the patient bed in this embodiment by the holding device.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the holding device comprises a rail guide by which the nozzle assembly is displaceably guided within the examination tunnel separately from the patient bed.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the holding device has a rail slider which, in the intended use state, is coupled with a guide rail of the patient bed, in which case the cleaning device, in particular the nozzle assembly, is thus displaceably guided on the guide rail of the patient bed in the intended use state, whereby the nozzle assembly can be moved independently of the patient bed.

[0017] In the case of a unique rail guide, the cleaning device preferably also includes a drive device for moving the nozzle assembly along the rail guide and thus through the inspection tunnel.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the nozzle assembly is formed by a nozzle head having a number of nozzle openings, which are oriented in different radial directions relative to the axis of movement of the nozzle head, such that the spray shape is formed such that the tunnel inner surface to be cleaned can be sprayed over a large area (i.e. linearly at least in the radial plane). The nozzle head is then arranged, for example, on the tunnel axis. For example, the diameter of the nozzle head is about 10 centimeters.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle assembly comprises a holding member (or holding frame) in which a number of individual nozzles are arranged, which are in particular distributed along the holding member, like the nozzle head, and preferably oriented in different radial directions, so that the above-mentioned spray shape is similarly formed. In the intended condition of use, the individual nozzles are preferably arranged at a relatively short distance from the inner surface of the tunnel.

[0020] In a preferred variant, the holding element is formed as a part of a circle or as a part of a circular arc. The holding element is formed as a part of a circular arc, in particular for cases where the test tunnel is flat on the underside and has an integrated guide structure for the patient bed. In this case, preferably only the surface areas of the test tunnel that are not covered by the patient bed and are accessible to the patient are exposed to the cleaning agent in the intended operation. In this case, the holding element is preferably formed to match the inner contour of the test tunnel (at least in the areas accessible to the patient). This advantageously makes it possible to arrange a number of individual nozzles at approximately equal distances from each other at least to the inner tunnel surface.

[0021] In an alternative variant, the holding element is formed polygonally, for example rectangularly.

[0022] In a further preferred or inventive embodiment, the cleaning device comprises (instead of or optionally in addition to the nozzle assembly) a wiper assembly, which is configured to mechanically clean the tunnel inner surface by the action of a (liquid) cleaning agent and / or (particularly in combination with the nozzle assembly) to re-introduce the cleaning agent. For this purpose, the wiper assembly preferably carries a certain number of mechanical cleaning elements. In combination with the nozzle assembly, the wiper assembly is advantageously arranged behind the nozzle assembly in the intended feed direction of the nozzle assembly. In other words, the wiper assembly is arranged to follow the nozzle assembly, so that it is preferably able to distribute, rub in and / or re-introduce the applied liquid cleaning agent. This is advantageous in that wipe disinfection is usually more effective than pure spray disinfection.

[0023] Also, An invention in itself In one embodiment of the above, the nozzle assembly is present in a cleaning device. You don't have to In this case, the holding device is configured to hold the wiper assembly on the tomography device displaceably parallel to the tunnel axis and along the inspection tunnel.

[0024] The features of the retaining device described above with respect to the nozzle assembly preferably apply correspondingly in the embodiment in which only the wiper assembly is present.

[0025] Preferably, the cleaning device also comprises a control device (particularly as described above), which is configured to set the movement (e.g. feed rate) of the nozzle assembly and / or the wiper assembly through the inspection tunnel in the intended cleaning operation and thereby control the cleaning process. Alternatively or additionally, the control device is configured to set the application of the cleaning agent depending on the movement of the nozzle assembly and / or the movement of the wiper assembly (relative to the tomography device). It is understood here that "application of cleaning agent" can take place in particular both by spraying by the nozzle assembly and by mechanical application by means of a submerged cleaning element, for example of the wiper assembly.

[0026] By "depending on the movement of the nozzle assembly" it is understood here and below that the application of the cleaning agent is set in particular in dependence on the position of the nozzle assembly in the inspection tunnel and / or in dependence on the feed rate of the nozzle assembly during its movement through the inspection tunnel. Position dependence is advantageous, for example, when the tunnel inner surface has an irregular surface, whereby more cleaning agent needs to be applied in more places. Speed ​​dependence is achieved in particular by setting a relatively higher cleaning agent flow rate at higher feed rates than at lower feed rates, so that the application amount per unit area (in terms of the amount of cleaning agent) is always as constant as possible.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, in particular when there is no (particularly separate) nozzle assembly, each of the cleaning elements of the wiper assembly, preferably optionally several cleaning elements, is connected to a cleaning agent supply and, for example, a pipe (particularly a hose or the like) leading to the corresponding cleaning element, whereby in this case the corresponding cleaning element, preferably a sponge, brush, cloth or the like, can be (particularly automatically) saturated with the cleaning agent for application of the cleaning agent. However, in the intended operation, it is also basically possible and can also be implemented as an option to manually saturated with the corresponding cleaning agent, preferably before the wiper assembly enters the inspection tunnel.

[0028] In the above cases where the corresponding cleaning elements are saturated by means of piping leading thereto, the opening of the piping is preferably formed in the form of a kind of nozzle in order to keep the cleaning elements sufficiently wetted to allow a continuous application of the cleaning agent to the tunnel inner surface, whereby it is possible to select a type of nozzle with a wide slit or a type of aerator in order to ensure that the cleaning agent is saturated or wetted over as large an area as possible and / or as completely as possible.

[0029] The control device is preferably formed at least at its core by a microcontroller having a processor and a data memory. In this microcontroller, the functions for carrying out the cleaning process are implemented programmatically in the form of operating software (firmware). When the operating software is implemented in the microcontroller, the cleaning process is carried out automatically (if necessary in dialogue with an operator). Optionally, this operating software is integrated into a higher-level control device (for example of the tomography device), whereby the control device of the cleaning device is formed by the control device of the tomography device. Within the scope of the present invention, it is also possible for the control device to be formed by non-programmable electronic components, for example ASICs, in which the functions for carrying out the cleaning process are implemented by circuit means. Alternatively, within the scope of the present invention, embodiments are also conceivable and provided in which the control device is implemented mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically. In this case, the application of the cleaning agent by the (in particular feed) movement of the nozzle assembly or wiper assembly is preferably carried out, for example, by moving intake devices (for example friction wheels, push rods, scrapers, etc.). The moving intake device, in intended use, is in contact with the laminography device and effects the application of the cleaning agent and / or the movement of the wiper assembly. Optionally, the movement of the nozzle assembly and / or the wiper assembly can be performed manually by an operator, in particular by pushing the nozzle and / or wiper assembly through the inspection tunnel.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, particularly where the holding device holds the nozzle assembly or wiper assembly on a patient bed of the tomography apparatus in its intended use state, the control device is integrated into a (particularly higher-level) control device of the tomography apparatus.

[0031] Furthermore, the drive for the rail guides, which are optionally associated with the cleaning device, is preferably coupled in terms of control technology to the control device.

[0032] Optionally, the distance (in the feed direction) between the nozzle assembly and the wiper assembly is selected to provide a sufficiently long application time of the liquid cleaning agent at a given feed rate. Additionally or alternatively, the controller is designed and configured to set different feed rates depending on the distance and the recommended application time (which often depends on the type of cleaning agent used).

[0033] Preferably, the wiper assembly is a second (e.g. circular or polygonal) holding member, in particular guided together with the nozzle assembly. A sponge, cloth, brush and / or wiping lip (also commonly called "rubber lip") suitable for distributing or taking up a cleaning agent, in particular for wiping disinfection, is arranged on the holding member as a cleaning element. In an optional variant, the sponge, cloth or brush (as required coupled with the abovementioned cleaning agent supply channel) is arranged in front of the wiping lip (or optionally only one wiping lip shaped to follow the contour of the tunnel inner surface) in the feed (or insertion) direction.

[0034] In a further optional embodiment of the nozzle assembly (which can also be used in the presence of a wiper assembly), it is not designed for spray application of the cleaning agent as described above, but for "mechanical" application, as in the wiper assembly variant described above. For this, the nozzle assembly comprises an application element, or optionally several application elements, interposed between the nozzle of the nozzle assembly and the inner surface of the tunnel. Each application element is, for example, a sponge body. The sponge body can be impregnated with the cleaning agent by the respective nozzle in the intended operation "from the rear" and the sponge body can be applied to the inner surface of the tunnel from the front by touching the inner surface of the tunnel. In this case, each nozzle of the nozzle assembly is thus configured to pass the cleaning agent to the application element. In contrast, in the case of spray application described above, each nozzle is designed in such a way that the above-mentioned spray shape is achieved on the inner surface of the tunnel.

[0035] In a further preferred embodiment, the wiper assembly comprises a drive for moving the cleaning element mechanically acting on the tunnel inner surface, decoupled from the nozzle assembly. This drive comprises, for example, an electric motor. Alternatively, the drive is formed by a gear, a link guide or the like, which, for example, during the feed movement, interacts with the rail guide (or with the partial surface of the cleaning tunnel, for example by means of a friction wheel) such that the cleaning element moves transversely to the feed movement.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device comprises a storage container and, if necessary, a collection container for the cleaning agent. In the intended cleaning operation, this or these are preferably arranged outside the inspection tunnel. To that end, the cleaning device comprises corresponding connection means, in particular associated hoses, for example for connecting the storage container to the nozzle assembly.

[0037] If a collection container is present, then a collection channel or the like is suitably arranged in the wiper assembly, into which the cleaning agent, in particular flowing out from the extraction lip, can flow and from there into the collection container. Optionally, in this case, a suction device can also be present, which can "suck in" the cleaning agent.

[0038] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the elements of the cleaning device which, in the intended cleaning operation, enter the inspection tunnel are formed with the exclusion or at least the reduction of magnetic, in particular ferromagnetic, materials. In particular, such elements include the nozzle assembly, the optional wiper assembly, the holding device and the optional piping for the cleaning agent. This makes it possible to prevent these elements from being attracted to the magnetic coil when the cleaning device is used in the MRT. As a result, cleaning of the MRT can be carried out without people in the vicinity of the MRT, while observing safety regulations.

[0039] In one optional embodiment, the cleaning device includes an ultraviolet irradiation assembly in addition to or as an alternative to the wiper assembly for applying ultraviolet irradiation (for disinfection purposes) to the interior surfaces of the tunnel.

[0040] The tomography apparatus according to the invention is preferably configured as an MRT and is provided with an inspection tunnel as well as the above-mentioned cleaning device, whereby the tomography apparatus has the same characteristics as the cleaning device and, as a result, also the same advantages.

[0041] The conjunction "and / or" is to be understood here and below in particular such that the features connected by this conjunction can be taken together or as alternatives to one another.

[0042] In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a tomography apparatus equipped with a cleaning device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the cleaning device according to FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic side view of a patient bed having a further embodiment of a cleaning device; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Corresponding parts are always provided with the same reference numbers in all figures.

[0045] In Fig. 1, a tomography apparatus, in particular a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, abbreviated as "MRT1", is shown diagrammatically. The MRT1 comprises a housing 2 in which a ring-shaped magnetic coil is arranged, thereby forming an examination tunnel, abbreviated as "tunnel 4", in its center. In the intended examination movement, a patient moves in this tunnel 4 by means of a patient bed 6 guided by the housing 2.

[0046] The patient lying on the patient bed 6 can then come into contact with a part of the tunnel inner surface 8 surrounding the tunnel 4. For this reason, it is appropriate to regularly clean and in particular disinfect this part of the tunnel inner surface 8. The problem here is that (as can be seen in particular from FIG. 3) in MRTs the tunnel 4 is usually relatively long, often longer than 1.5 meters, with a tunnel diameter of about 60-70 centimeters, which already makes access for cleaning difficult. Furthermore, in modern MRTs the magnetic field strength (even in the inert state due to superconducting materials) is usually above 2 tesla, which is the permissible load at work, so that cleaning by cleaning personnel is not easily possible.

[0047] For this purpose, the MRT 1 is associated with a cleaning device 10. It comprises a nozzle assembly 12, which is adapted to apply a liquid cleaning agent, in particular a disinfectant, to the tunnel inner surface 8. For this purpose, the nozzle assembly 12 comprises a holding element 14 in which a number of spray nozzles (also called "several individual nozzles") 16 are arranged so as to be able to spray the tunnel inner surface 8 to be sprayed, in particular the part to be disinfected, in a planar closed state. For this purpose, the spray nozzles 16 are respectively oriented in different radial directions relative to the tunnel axis of the tunnel 4 or to the displacement axis of the patient bed 6. The holding element 14 is formed in this embodiment as a segment of a circular arc, so that all the spray nozzles 16 are (at least approximately) equidistant from the tunnel inner surface 8. The cleaning device 10 also comprises a holding element, not shown in more detail, by means of which the holding element 14 of the nozzle assembly 12 is fixed to the patient bed 6, in particular at its end (see FIG. 3). Thereby, the cleaning device 10, at least the nozzle assembly 12, can be moved through the tunnel 4 by the movement of the patient bed 6. Therefore, no additional drive device is required.

[0048] Furthermore, the cleaning device 10 comprises a control device 18, which in the illustrated embodiment is shown as a "black box" on the patient bed 6. Preferably, however, the control device 18 is integrated as a software component in the control device of the MRT 1. Also included in the illustrated "black box" is a storage container 20 for the cleaning agent. The control device 18 is configured to control the application of the cleaning agent depending on the axial position of the patient bed 6, and thus of the nozzle assembly 12, and / or depending on the feed speed of the patient bed 6.

[0049] In an embodiment not shown in more detail, the storage container 20, and preferably an associated pump, are located outside the tunnel 4, for example next to the housing 2, and are connected to the spray nozzle 16 by a connecting pipe.

[0050] In a simple embodiment of the cleaning device 10, only a spray disinfection of the tunnel inner surface 8 is carried out.

[0051] In order that the parts of the cleaning device 10 are not attracted (or, more generally, displaced) by the magnetic field of the magnetic coil, the parts of the cleaning device 10, in particular the elements which enter the tunnel 4 during the cleaning process, are made of a non-ferromagnetic material.

[0052] 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the cleaning device 10. In this case, the holding element 14 is formed in an approximately rectangular shape. The rest of the configuration of the cleaning device 10 corresponds to that of FIG.

[0053] In Fig. 3, a further embodiment of the cleaning device 10 is shown diagrammatically. In addition to the nozzle assembly 12, this device comprises a wiper assembly 22, which is arranged behind the nozzle assembly 12 in the feed direction 24. In other words, when the patient bed 6 enters the tunnel 4, the nozzle assembly 12 is introduced first into the tunnel. In addition to the holding member 26, the wiper assembly 22 has a number of cleaning elements, in the form of sponges 28 in this embodiment, attached to said holding member. These cleaning elements are arranged in such a way that a gap-free contact line or contact surface is formed on the part of the tunnel inner surface 8 to be cleaned. Alternatively, the sponge is moved (e.g. rotated) by a drive device, not shown in more detail, so that a surface-free wiping of this part of the tunnel inner surface 8 is possible.

[0054] On entering the tunnel 4, the tunnel inner surface 8 is therefore first sprayed by the spray nozzles 16 in a straight line transversely to the feed direction 24 and thus in an areal manner by the feed. After a sufficient action time of the cleaning agent, it is then wiped off by the sponge 28, which action time results from the feed speed of the patient bed 6 and the distance between the nozzle assembly 12 and the wiper assembly 22.

[0055] In addition to the storage container 20, a collection container 30 is provided in which the cleaning agent wiped off by the sponge 28 is received. For this purpose, for example, the sponge 28 is connected to a suction device.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment, not shown in more detail, instead of the nozzle assembly 12 there is only the wiper assembly 22. In this case the sponge 28 is supplied with the cleaning agent, whereby the application of the cleaning agent is carried out by using said sponge. In this case it is also possible to omit the suction device and to dry in air. In addition, the features described in figures 1 and 2 apply correspondingly to the wiper assembly 22.

[0057] It should be noted that the subject matter of the present invention is not limited to the examples described above, but rather further embodiments of the invention can be derived by those skilled in the art from the above description, in particular the individual features of the invention described on the basis of the various examples and their embodiment variants can also be combined with one another in other ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. MRT 2. Housing 4. Tunnels 6 patient beds 8. Inside of tunnel 10 Cleaning equipment 12 Nozzle Assembly 14 Retaining member 16 Spray Nozzle 18 Control device 20 Storage Container 22 Wiper Assembly 24 Feed direction 26 Retaining member 28 Sponge 30 Collection Container

Claims

1. A cleaning device (10) for a tomography apparatus (1), in particular for MRT, with an inspection tunnel (4), comprising: a nozzle assembly (12) for applying a liquid cleaning agent to the tunnel inner surface (8) facing the tunnel axis; a holding device configured to hold the nozzle assembly (12) in a structural unit (6) of the tomography device (1) so as to be displaceable parallel to the tunnel axis and along the inspection tunnel (4), the holding device holds the nozzle assembly (12) on a patient bed (6) of the tomography apparatus (1) in an intended state of use, whereby the nozzle assembly (12) moves with movements of the patient bed (6); or The holding device has a rail guide by which the nozzle assembly (12) is displaceably guided within the inspection tunnel (4) separately from the patient bed (6). Cleaning device (10).

2. a control device (18) configured to set the application of the liquid cleaning agent in dependence on the movement of the nozzle assembly (12) during an intended cleaning operation; A cleaning device (10) according to claim 1.

3. the support device has a rail slider which, in the intended state of use, engages with a guide rail of the patient bed (6); A cleaning device (10) according to claim 1.

4. The nozzle assembly (12) is formed by the nozzle head having a plurality of nozzle openings oriented in different radial directions relative to the axis of movement of the nozzle head. A cleaning device (10) according to claim 1.

5. 2. The cleaning device (10) of claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly (12) includes a retaining member (14) in which a plurality of individual nozzles (16) are oriented in different radial directions and positioned within a predetermined distance relative to the tunnel inner surface (8) in an intended condition of use.

6. The cleaning device (10) of claim 5, wherein the retaining member (14) is formed as a segment of a circle or a segment of an arc.

7. The cleaning device (10) of claim 5, wherein the retaining member (14) is formed in a polygonal shape.

8. a wiper assembly (22) arranged behind the nozzle assembly (12) in the intended feed direction of the nozzle assembly, the wiper assembly (22) being configured to mechanically clean the tunnel inner surface (8) facing the tunnel axis under the action of the liquid cleaning agent and / or to take up the liquid cleaning agent; 2. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: a holding device configured to hold the wiper assembly (22) in a structural unit (6) of the tomography device (1) so as to be displaceable parallel to the tunnel axis and along the inspection tunnel (4).

9. 9. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the wiper assembly (22) has a drive device for moving a cleaning element (28) that mechanically acts on the tunnel inner surface (8) separately from the nozzle assembly (12).

10. 2. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, wherein a storage container (20) and optionally a collection container (30) for a cleaning agent remain outside the inspection tunnel (4) during the intended cleaning operation.

11. A cleaning device (10) for a tomography apparatus (1), in particular for MRT, with an inspection tunnel (4), comprising: a wiper assembly (22) configured to mechanically clean the tunnel inner surface (8) facing the tunnel axis under the action of a liquid cleaning agent; a holding device configured to hold the wiper assembly (22) on a structural unit (6) of a tomography apparatus (1) so as to be displaceable parallel to the tunnel axis and along the inspection tunnel (4), the retaining device retains the wiper assembly (22) on a patient bed (6) of the tomography apparatus (1) in an intended state of use, so that the wiper assembly (22) moves with the movement of the patient bed (6); or The holding device has a rail guide by which the wiper assembly (22) is displaceably guided in the inspection tunnel (4) separately from the patient bed (6). Cleaning device (10).

12. 12. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the holding device comprises a rail slider which, in the intended use state, engages with a guide rail of the patient bed (6).

13. 12. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 11, comprising a drive for moving a cleaning element (28) which acts mechanically on the tunnel inner surface (8).

14. of the cleaning device (10) entering the inspection tunnel (4) in an intended cleaning operation.

12. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 1 or 11, wherein the elements (12, 20, 22, 30) are formed with the exclusion or at least the reduction of ferromagnetic materials.

15. 12. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 1 or 11, comprising an ultraviolet irradiation assembly for irradiating the tunnel inner surface (8) with ultraviolet light.

16. Inspection tunnel, A tomography apparatus (1), in particular an MRT, comprising a cleaning device (10) according to claim 1 or 11.

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