Cleaning unit for cleaning an enclosure around a patient reception area

Abstract

To provide a cleaning unit for cleaning a housing of a medical imaging device that surrounds a patient-accommodating area.SOLUTION: A cleaning unit (1) for cleaning a housing (3) of a medical imaging device that surrounds a patient-accommodating area comprises a support structure (5) and a cleaning component. The cleaning component of the cleaning unit introduced into the housing is arranged between the support structure and the housing. In a pressure medium-filled state, the cleaning component contacts the housing, preferably with contact pressure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides - a cleaning unit for cleaning an enclosure of a medical imaging device around a patient receiving area, the cleaning unit comprising a support structure and a cleaning component; a medical imaging device equipped with such a cleaning unit; - a method for cleaning such a medical imaging device; Regarding.

[0002] Medical imaging devices used in radiology, such as MRI and CT machines, can become contaminated during use and / or become contaminated with bacteria and / or viruses. This can occur, for example, when a patient leaves bacteria or other contaminants inside the medical imaging device by coughing, sneezing, breathing heavily, or by physical contact with the medical imaging device. Such contaminants can remain within the medical imaging device, particularly within its housing.

[0003] Manual cleaning is in this case carried out using a cleaning implement, optionally fixed to a pole, as disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,918,342.

[0004] The drawback is that this type of cleaning can be very tedious and time consuming and / or require the cleaning personnel to be very close to or even partially inside the medical imaging device, where the effects of radiation, e.g., X-rays and magnetic fields, emitted by the medical imaging device can be unpleasant.

[0005] It is also known to provide an automatic cleaning unit in a medical imaging device, as disclosed, for example, in Chinese Utility Model No. 219251060 or German Patent Application Publication No. 102021210471, where the cleaning unit can perform wiping cleaning by running the cleaning unit from one end of the housing to the other end of the housing.

[0006] The disadvantage here is that such cleaning units, after their first run and wiping of the housing, at least partially recontaminate the housing when they return to their starting position, since bacteria and / or viruses absorbed during the first run may be left behind on the housing again. Furthermore, when installing such cleaning units into the housing of the medical imaging device, the positioning and geometric accuracy of the cleaning units in the current prior art must be extremely precise or expensive mechanisms must be provided to compensate for errors. The associated deviations and / or inaccuracies have a negative impact on the cleaning performance.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning unit which at least partially overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and which is an improvement over the prior art, and which is outstanding in particular with regard to the reliable cleaning of medical imaging devices. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a medical imaging device equipped with such a cleaning unit and a method for cleaning such a medical imaging device.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features of claims 1, 2, 11 and 14.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by a cleaning unit as described in claim 1, i.e. a cleaning unit for cleaning a housing around a patient receiving area of ​​a medical imaging device, the cleaning unit comprising a support structure and a cleaning component, the cleaning component of the cleaning unit being introduced into the housing and being arranged between the support structure and the housing, the cleaning component being in contact with the housing, preferably in a pressure-contacting manner, while being filled with a pressure medium.

[0010] "Cleaning," as used herein, means sanitizing, disinfecting, and / or sterilizing. Cleaning can take the form of, for example, wiping, scraping, scraping, scrubbing, scrubbing, washing, etc.

[0011] The pressure medium-filled state of the cleaning component allows contact of the cleaning component with the housing. In the unfilled state, the cleaning component is not in contact with the housing. The pressure of the contact can be controlled depending on the pressure of the pressure medium filling the cleaning component. A relatively low pressure medium pressure results in a weakly pressed contact, whereas a relatively high pressure medium pressure results in a strongly pressed contact.

[0012] This problem is solved according to a second aspect of the present invention by a cleaning unit as set forth in claim 2, i.e. a cleaning unit for cleaning a housing around a patient receiving area of ​​a medical imaging device, comprising a support structure and a cleaning component, the cleaning component being arranged along the contour, preferably the outer contour, of the support structure, and the cleaning component being deformable by filling with a pressure medium.

[0013] "Deformable" as used herein means that the shape of an object can be changed as a result of the action of force and / or stress. The deformation of an object can be divided into a first part, in which the volume and / or spatial extent of the object changes but the geometry of the object does not, for example, when the radius of a sphere or tubular body increases, and a second part, in which the geometry of the object changes but the volume and / or spatial extent of the object does not, for example, when a sphere is stretched along its axis to become an ellipsoid. When a cleaning component is deformed by filling it with a pressure medium, the deformation can occur in the first part and / or the second part.

[0014] By "cleaning component deformable by filling with pressure medium" is meant in this specification that the cleaning component is deformable by at least partially, preferably completely, occupying the volume defined by the cleaning component with pressure medium.

[0015] The deformability of the cleaning component due to the filling with pressure medium results in a change in the geometric shape, preferably the outer diameter, the spatial extent and / or the volume of the cleaning component, in this way contact between the cleaning unit arranged in the medical imaging device and the housing of the medical imaging device can be deliberately caused or avoided.

[0016] According to both aspects of the invention, the cleaning component is brought into a filled state, the housing is contacted by the filled cleaning component, and the cleaning component cleans the housing, for example by wiping, during the movement of the cleaning unit, thereby providing reliable cleaning of the housing. As soon as the movement of the cleaning unit along the housing in the first direction is terminated, the filled cleaning component is brought into an unfilled state, and the cleaning unit with the unfilled cleaning component is moved again to the starting position without contact. This prevents new contact between the cleaning component and the housing, thereby avoiding recontamination.

[0017] An "unfilled cleaning component" or "unfilled cleaning component" is a cleaning component that is not filled with pressure medium, and an unfilled cleaning component of a cleaning unit introduced into a housing does not come into contact with the housing.

[0018] In the unfilled state, the cleaning component is under the action of the atmospheric pressure forces and / or stresses around the cleaning component and optionally under the action of a medium other than the pressure medium present within the cleaning component, but in no case under the action of the pressure of the housing.

[0019] A "partially filled cleaning component" or "partially filled cleaning component" is a cleaning component that is at least partially filled with pressure medium, and a partially filled cleaning component of a cleaning unit introduced into a housing does not contact the housing.

[0020] A "filled cleaning component" or "filled cleaning component" is a cleaning component filled with pressure medium, and the filled cleaning component of a cleaning unit introduced into a housing contacts the housing.

[0021] In the filled state, the cleaning component is under the action of the forces and / or stresses of the pressure medium, the action of the forces and / or stresses of the atmospheric pressure around the cleaning component, the action of the forces and / or stresses of the housing in contact with the cleaning component, and optionally a reaction force of the preferably elastic cleaning component due to deformation.

[0022] When a filled cleaning component in contact with the housing transitions through a partially filled cleaning component to an unfilled cleaning component, pressure medium is removed from the cleaning component, thereby reducing the spatial extension of the cleaning component and terminating contact with the housing.

[0023] When an unfilled cleaning component that is not in contact with the housing transitions through a partially filled cleaning component to a filled cleaning component, pressure medium is introduced into the cleaning component, thereby increasing the spatial extension of the cleaning component and achieving contact with the housing.

[0024] Only when the pressure medium has been sufficiently introduced into the cleaning component of the cleaning unit, i.e., when the cleaning component is fully filled with pressure medium, does the transition from the partially filled cleaning component to the full cleaning component occur, so that the housing can be contacted by the cleaning unit introduced into the housing. If the already filled cleaning component is then further filled with pressure medium, the housing comes into contact with pressure, the pressure being determined by the degree of filling of the filled cleaning component.

[0025] The cleaning component can be filled several times in succession and its spatial extent can be increased with each new filling in accordance with the above description. This also applies to cleaning components from which part of the pressure medium is removed several times in succession.

[0026] Another advantage is that the filler cleaning component can close all gaps between the cleaning unit and the housing, thereby allowing gap-free cleaning, eg, wiping.

[0027] Further benefits include: - A uniform pressing force of the filling cleaning component against the housing can be achieved.

[0028] Manufacturing tolerances of the housing and, for example, the carriage of the movable patient table and / or the positioning of the patient table guide relative to and / or within the housing can be compensated for.

[0029] - Compensating for different dimensions, preferably inner diameters, of various types of housings for various types of medical imaging devices.

[0030] - Simple preparation of the gap between the cleaning component and the housing when moving the cleaning component after cleaning the housing.

[0031] Preparation or maintenance operations, such as, for example, replacing the cleaning unit or individual parts of the cleaning unit, can always be carried out from the same side of the medical imaging device.

[0032] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the used numerals such as 1, 2, 3 and similar expressions essentially describe only the minimum number of features of the cleaning unit according to the present invention, the medical imaging device according to the present invention equipped with such a cleaning unit, and / or the method according to the present invention for cleaning such a medical imaging device. Individual features or components may of course be present in a greater number. For example, the cleaning unit according to the present invention may have several cleaning components, several support structures, etc. In this sense, for example, numerals should be understood to mean at least one, etc.

[0033] Further advantageous embodiments of the arrangement are defined in the dependent claims.

[0034] According to one preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, it is envisaged that the outer contour of the support structure and / or preferably the outer contour of the filling cleaning component is preferably curved, particularly preferably circular, corresponding to the inner contour of the housing.

[0035] In one preferred embodiment variant, it may be envisaged that the outer contour of the non-filled cleaning component corresponds to the inner contour of the housing, with a gap between them.

[0036] In other words, one contour corresponds to the other contour, and one contour follows the other contour.

[0037] Due to the corresponding, preferably curved, particularly preferably circular, contours of the support structure and / or cleaning component and the housing, a gap-free contact can be achieved even more reliably, since the filler cleaning component has to compensate for less of the shape differences.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment variant, it may be envisaged that the support structure is shape-stable and / or the cleaning component is elastically deformable.

[0039] The elastic deformability of the cleaning component allows for a higher pressure of the pressure medium and therefore a larger spatial extent, which allows the cleaning component to fit even better and more flexibly into the housing and / or to be pressed more tightly.

[0040] In one preferred embodiment variant, the support structure and / or the cleaning component comprises or consists of at least one non-metallic material, which preferably may be envisaged to comprise or consist of at least one of the following materials: natural materials, particularly preferably graphite, polymeric materials, particularly preferably elastomers, thermoplastics, thermosets, copolymers, inorganic materials, particularly preferably ceramics or glasses, Composite materials, particularly preferably reinforced fiber composites or layer composites.

[0041] By avoiding metallic materials in the cleaning components, adverse effects on the magnetic field of the medical imaging device, such as damage to the equipment, risk of injury, increased installation and maintenance efforts, etc., can be avoided or at least reduced.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, the spatial extent, preferably the outer diameter, of the cleaning unit is: in a non-filled cleaning component, the spatial extent, preferably smaller than the outer diameter, of the cleaning unit in a filled cleaning component; and / or - in non-filled cleaning components, the spatial extent of the housing is preferably smaller than the inner diameter, and / or - in the case of a filling cleaning component, the spatial extent of the housing is preferably at least as large as or larger than the inner diameter It is assumed that:

[0043] According to one preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, it is envisaged that the pressure medium is a gas or a liquid, preferably compressed air.

[0044] The use of gas or liquid as a pressure medium can offer various advantages: for example, gas is compressible and can therefore better compensate for very high pressures, whereas liquid is almost incompressible and therefore transmits pressure with almost no pressure loss.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, a deformation device is provided, which has a deformation drive, a pressure medium, and a connecting line for connecting the cleaning component and the deformation drive, preferably detachably or non-detachably, and it is envisaged that the pressure medium can be introduced into and / or removed from the cleaning component using the deformation drive, and that the cleaning component can be deformed by filling and / or removing the pressure medium.

[0046] "Removable connection," "removably connected," and "removably connectable" may mean that at least two originally separate components can be connected to one another, and that the removable connection can then be non-destructively released, causing the at least two components to become originally separate again and thus be able to be reconnected. Thus, "removable connection," "removably connected," and "removably connectable" can also be expressed as "non-destructively removable connection," "non-destructively removably connected," and "non-destructively removably connectable."

[0047] "Irremovably connected," "irremovably connected," and "irremovably connectable" may mean that at least two otherwise separate components can be connected to one another and that the irremovable connection cannot then be broken without compromising the integrity of at least one of the at least two components and / or preventing or precluding reconnection of the at least two components. Thus, "irremovably connected," "irremovably connected," and "irremovably connectable" can also be expressed as "non-destructively irremovably connected," "non-destructively irremovably connected," and "non-destructively irremovably connectable."

[0048] In one preferred embodiment variant, it can be envisaged that the deformation device comprises a compressor, preferably an air compressor, which sucks in a pressure medium, preferably ambient air, and supplies it under pressure through a connecting line to the cleaning component to fill it.

[0049] A control and regulation device may be provided which can control and / or regulate the amount of pressure medium inside the filling cleaning component and / or the pressure to be achieved.

[0050] At least one sensor, preferably a pressure sensor, may be provided to monitor the condition of the filled and / or unfilled cleaning components.

[0051] The control and regulation device may be connected to the sensor.

[0052] According to one preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, it is envisaged that the cleaning component comprises a cleaning substrate and a cleaning layer, preferably the cleaning layer being arranged along the outer contour of the cleaning substrate.

[0053] In one preferred embodiment variant, it can be envisaged that the cleaning substrate may be a tubular body.

[0054] In one preferred embodiment variant, it can be envisaged that the cleaning substrate may be a flat material web, preferably a membrane, and that at least one end, preferably at least two ends, of the flat material web, preferably the membrane, may be connected to a support structure, preferably along the outer contour of the support structure.

[0055] In one preferred embodiment variant, it can be envisaged that the cleaning substrate may be an extruded profile and / or an extruded double profile.

[0056] In one preferred embodiment variant, it can be envisaged that the cleaning layer comprises a foam and / or a textile structure and / or a nonwoven material.

[0057] In one preferred embodiment variant, it can be envisaged that the cleaning layer comprises a sponge and / or a nonwoven fabric.

[0058] In one preferred embodiment variant, it can be envisaged that the cleaning layer comprises or consists of wiping lips.

[0059] In one preferred embodiment variant, it can be envisaged that the cleaning layer is moistened or not moistened.

[0060] According to one preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, a positioning device is provided, and it is envisaged that the cleaning layer can be positioned, preferably stretched, on the cleaning substrate, preferably along the outer contour of the cleaning substrate, using the positioning device.

[0061] In one preferred embodiment variant, it may be envisaged that the positioning device has a positioning drive device and a connection device for preferably detachable or non-detachable connection with the cleaning layer, the cleaning layer connected to the connection device being movable by the positioning drive device into an operating position on the cleaning substrate and preferably unreelable from the roller.

[0062] By means of the positioning device, the positioning, preferably the tensioning, of the cleaning layer can be at least partially automated, which can result in reduced and / or more reliable maintenance of the cleaning unit.

[0063] In the operating position of the cleaning layer, the cleaning layer is arranged on the cleaning component such that the cleaning unit is ready for operation and can be used to clean the housing. Preferably, it may be envisaged that the cleaning layer partially or completely covers the cleaning substrate in the operating position.

[0064] The positioning device can be used to remove the cleaning layer from the cleaning unit, or in other words, to remove the cleaning layer from the cleaning unit, which in one preferred embodiment variant allows the removal of a first, preferably used, cleaning layer and / or the placement of a second, preferably unused, cleaning layer.

[0065] According to one preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, a supply device is provided for bringing a cleaning agent onto or into the cleaning layer, and it is envisaged that the cleaning agent can be supplied using the supply device before, during and / or after the placement of the cleaning layer on the cleaning substrate.

[0066] By "cleaning agent" it is to be understood that commonly known agents for removing stains, such as soap, disinfectants such as alcohol, and / or sterilants.

[0067] The supply device can at least partially automate the supply and / or injection of cleaning agent onto and / or into the cleaning layer, thereby reducing the maintenance effort of the cleaning unit and / or achieving more reliable maintenance. This also makes it possible to achieve greater cleaning flexibility and ease of use. For example, by selecting a suitable supply device, the time point at which the nonwoven fabric is wetted can be defined within the cleaning procedure. Additionally or alternatively, the nonwoven fabric can be wetted multiple times.

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning unit, the cleaning unit is movable inside the medical imaging device using a traveling device, and preferably the traveling device is a movable patient examination table of the medical imaging device or is a traveling device separate from the medical imaging device.

[0069] The advantage of the movable patient examination table being configured as a travelling device is that the patient examination table is an existing travelling device of the medical imaging device, and by coupling it to the cleaning unit, it allows for further functions, in particular cleaning of the housing.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment variant, it may be assumed that the cleaning unit is connectable or connected, preferably detachably or non-detachably, to the running device. Using a coupling device for connecting the cleaning unit and the running device, preferably detachably or non-detachably, the cleaning unit can be moved into and / or within and / or out of the housing using the running device. After or during detachment of the cleaning unit from the running device, the cleaning unit can be parked inside the housing or by or near the opening of the patient receiving area.

[0071] In one preferred embodiment variant, it may be envisaged that at least one further cleaning component is provided, preferably at least one further cleaning component being arranged particularly preferably directly adjacent to the cleaning component.

[0072] In one preferred embodiment variant, it may be envisaged that the at least one further cleaning component is arranged along the contour, preferably the outer contour, of the support structure or along the contour, preferably the outer contour, of at least one further support structure.

[0073] If further cleaning components are arranged on the same support structure as the cleaning component, the width of the support structure may be adapted accordingly to the two or more cleaning components.

[0074] One separate cleaning component, or in other words at least two cleaning components in just one cleaning unit, offers the advantage that the cleaning action is improved.

[0075] For example, in the case of heavy soiling, it may be envisaged to use two cleaning components simultaneously. On the other hand, it may also be envisaged that the housing can be cleaned in a first direction with a first cleaning component and in a second direction, specifically in the direction opposite to the first direction and back to the starting position, with a second cleaning component. This allows the housing to be cleaned twice in direct succession, without the need to replace the cleaning layer after the first cleaning or without one of the cleaning layers re-contaminating the housing.

[0076] The present invention also seeks to protect a medical imaging device comprising a scanner unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, a housing around the patient receiving area, and at least one cleaning unit according to the present invention, the cleaning unit being movable within the housing.

[0077] According to a preferred embodiment of the medical imaging device, the non-filled cleaning component is substantially, preferably completely, surrounded without contact by the housing; The filling cleaning component is in contact with the housing, preferably without gaps, particularly preferably in a crimped contact manner. It is assumed that:

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment of the medical imaging device, it is envisaged that the cleaning unit is connected or connectable, preferably non-removably or detachably, to a carriage of the medical imaging device, preferably to a movable patient examination table.

[0079] In one preferred embodiment variant of the medical imaging device, it may be envisaged that the cleaning unit can be moved in and out of the housing and / or inside the housing in at least one direction, preferably two directions, using the running device.

[0080] Such a travel device can automate at least one movement of the cleaning unit. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be envisaged that the cleaning unit is moved at least partially, preferably fully, automatically from a parking position into the housing, where cleaning of the housing is carried out, and then the cleaning unit is moved back to the parking position. This reduces the effort required for cleaning the housing.

[0081] Control and adjustment devices may be provided for moving the cleaning unit.

[0082] The invention further provides a method for cleaning a medical imaging device according to the invention, comprising a cleaning unit according to the invention, the method comprising the following method steps: - method steps of preparing a cleaning unit with a filled cleaning component; - method steps for cleaning a housing of a medical imaging device with a filled cleaning component; Protection is sought for a process having the following features:

[0083] According to a preferred embodiment of the method for cleaning, the method comprises the following method steps: - moving the cleaning unit into the housing; - cleaning the housing along a first direction and / or a second direction with a filling cleaning component; - method steps of preparing a cleaning unit with an unfilled cleaning component; - moving the non-filled cleaning component contactlessly inside the housing, preferably in a first direction and / or a second direction; - moving the cleaning unit out of the housing; It is envisaged that the method comprises at least one method step of:

[0084] In one preferred embodiment variant of the method for cleaning, the method comprises the following method steps: - providing a cleaning unit with a filled cleaning component and a separate non-filled cleaning component; - cleaning the housing along a first direction with a filling cleaning component; - moving a separate non-filled cleaning component in a contactless manner in a first direction inside the housing; - preparing a cleaning unit with an unfilled cleaning component and a separate filled cleaning component; - moving the non-filled cleaning component in a contactless manner in a second direction inside the housing; - cleaning the housing along a second direction with another filled cleaning component; It may be envisaged that the method comprises at least one, preferably all, of the steps:

[0085] This preferred embodiment of the method allows, as already described above, for at least two cleaning components to be used within one cleaning cycle, and for at least two cleaning components to be used simultaneously or in succession, without the need to change the cleaning layer or risk of re-contamination.

[0086] In one preferred embodiment variant of the method for cleaning, the method comprises the following method steps: - method steps of preparing a cleaning unit with a filled cleaning component; - a method step of shrinking the filling cleaning component, preferably along the outer contour of the cleaning component, and / or a method step of providing a filling cleaning component with at least two contact surfaces, the course of which is inclined, particularly preferably perpendicular, to the first direction, and at least one of the at least two contact surfaces being in contact with the housing of the filling cleaning component, preferably in a crimped manner, - cleaning the housing along a first direction with at least one contact surface of the at least two contact surfaces of the contracted filled cleaning component; - method steps of preparing a cleaning component with an unfilled cleaning component; - moving the non-filled cleaning component in a contactless manner in a second direction inside the housing; It may be envisaged that the method comprises at least one, preferably all, of the steps:

[0087] This preferred embodiment of the method allows at least two cleaning steps to be performed during movement of the cleaning unit inside the housing in a first direction without re-contamination occurring.

[0088] For example, the cleaning component can form two ridges by contracting the individual cleaning components, specifically the membrane as the cleaning substrate connected to the support structure and the nonwoven fabric as the cleaning layer arranged on the membrane. These two ridges can extend along the outer contour of the cleaning component, and their paths can be inclined, preferably perpendicular, to the direction of movement of the cleaning unit inside the housing. In this way, the first ridge performs cleaning in the first direction, while the second ridge immediately thereafter performs supplementary cleaning in the first direction. When the cleaning unit has finished its movement in the first direction, and thus the cleaning, the cleaning component can be brought into an unfilled state, whereby both ridges of the cleaning component can return to the second direction without contacting the housing.

[0089] It may be envisioned that in a contracted, filled cleaning component with at least two contact surfaces, at least one contact surface contacts the housing and at least one contact surface does not contact the housing.

[0090] In this way, during movement of the cleaning unit in a first direction, the housing can be cleaned by the at least one first contact surface, while the at least one second contact surface is not in contact with the housing. It may then be envisaged that the filling and / or contraction of the cleaning component is operated such that during movement of the cleaning unit in a second direction, the housing is cleaned by the at least one second contact surface, while the at least one first contact surface is no longer in contact with the housing.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment variant, it may be envisaged that cleaning of the housing of the medical imaging device is additionally carried out using a radiation device, preferably using UV radiation.

[0092] The combination of cleaning the housing of the medical imaging device with a fill cleaning component and an emitting device can allow for even more reliable cleaning.

[0093] Further details and advantages of preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0094] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a medical imaging device. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the inside of the housing of the medical imaging device shown in FIG. 1 equipped with a cleaning unit according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment variant of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a second embodiment of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a plan view of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 3 in an unfilled state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 4 is a plan view of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 3 in a filled state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 3 in a filled or unfilled state. [Figure 10] 4 is a front view of the housing and the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 3 in an unfilled state disposed within the housing. [Figure 11] 4 is a front view of the housing and the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 3 disposed within the housing in a partially filled state. [Figure 12]4 is a front view of the housing and the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 3 in a filled state disposed within the housing.

[0095] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a medical imaging device 4 .

[0096] The medical imaging device 4 of FIG. 1 is a medical imaging device 4 that includes a scanner unit 20, a patient receiving area 2 that is at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit 20, and a housing 3 that surrounds the patient receiving area 2.

[0097] Such a medical imaging device 4 may comprise at least a cleaning unit 1 according to the present invention, which may be movable within a housing 3 .

[0098] Such a medical imaging device 4 may include an operation device 23 and an output device 24 .

[0099] Such a medical imaging device 4 may comprise a travel device 18. The travel device 18 may comprise a movable patient examination table 19, a travel drive 25 and a control and adjustment unit .

[0100] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the cleaning unit 1 according to the present invention is inserted into the housing 3 of the medical imaging device 4 shown in FIG.

[0101] Figure 2 shows a cleaning unit 1 for cleaning a housing 3 around a patient receiving area 2 of a medical imaging device 4, together with a support structure 5 and a cleaning component 6, characterized in that the cleaning component 6 of the cleaning unit 1 introduced into the housing 3 is positioned between the support structure 5 and the housing 3, and the cleaning component 6 is in contact with the housing 3, preferably in a pressed state, while being filled with a pressure medium.

[0102] The cleaning component 6 has been omitted from FIG. 2 for clarity.

[0103] The support structure 5 of the cleaning unit 1 may have a base portion 27 and a ring portion 29. However, it is also conceivable that the support structure does not have a base portion 27.

[0104] The cleaning unit may have at least one coupling device 30 for connecting it to the carriage 18, preferably either detachably or non-detachably.

[0105] At least one coupling device 30 may be provided on the support structure, preferably on the base portion 27 and / or the ring portion 29 .

[0106] The medical imaging device 4 may have two illumination edges 28 .

[0107] The housing 3 can have an inner contour 9. In the case of a hollow cylindrical housing 3 as shown in Figure 2, the inside of the housing 3 corresponds to the circumferential surface of the cylinder. This allows the inner contour 9 of the housing to be circular or arc-shaped.

[0108] The cleaning unit 1 is movable inside the housing 3 in at least one direction, preferably in a first direction 21 and / or a second direction 22 .

[0109] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment variant of the cleaning unit 1 shown in FIG. 2 in a schematic perspective view.

[0110] The cleaning unit 1 may comprise a support structure 5 and a cleaning component 6 .

[0111] The support structure 5 may have a base portion 27 and a ring portion 29, and the ring portion 29 may have a coupling device 30 for connecting, preferably detachably or non-detachably, to the running device 18.

[0112] The ring portion 29 of the support structure 5 shown in Figures 3 and 4 has an outer contour 7 that describes a nearly complete circle, in particular an arc with an angle of 180°. It may be envisaged that the support structure 5 has an outer contour 7 that is a complete circle or an incomplete circle, in particular an arc.

[0113] The cleaning component 6 may have a cleaning substrate 15 and a cleaning layer 16, and the cleaning substrate 15 may be arranged between the support structure 5, specifically the ring portion 29 and / or outer contour 7 of the support structure 5, and the cleaning layer 16.

[0114] The cleaning layer 16 may be designed to be flexible so that the cleaning layer 16 conforms to the shape of the cleaning substrate 15. In Figures 3 and 4, the shape of the outer contour of the cleaning substrate 15 substantially corresponds to the shape of the outer contour of the cleaning layer 16 disposed on the cleaning substrate 15.

[0115] In Figures 3 and 4, the shape of the outer contour 7 of the support structure 5 substantially corresponds to the shape of the outer contour 8 of the cleaning component 6, and in particular, in Figures 3 and 4, it substantially corresponds to the shape of the outer contour of the cleaning layer 16 arranged on the cleaning component 6.

[0116] In Figures 3 and 4, the shape of the outer contour 8 of the cleaning component 6 is substantially circular, in particular arcuate.

[0117] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment variant of the cleaning unit 1 shown in FIG.

[0118] The above description regarding FIG. 3 applies equally to FIG.

[0119] Figures 3 and 4 are the cleaning component 6 shown in FIG. 4 extends beyond the arc of the ring portion 29 to the base portion 27; 4 in that the coupling device 30 is arranged on the base part 27 instead of on the ring part 29.

[0120] In FIG. 4, the cleaning layer 16 continues further as does the cleaning substrate 15 .

[0121] In this way, the inside of the housing 3 and also at least one side of the lighting edge 28, in particular the surface of the lighting edge 28, can be cleaned.

[0122] The location of the coupling device 30 may be provided on the base part 27 and / or on the ring part 29. A different location of the coupling device may be advantageous if the running device 18 for moving the cleaning unit 1 is a patient examination table of the medical imaging device or if the running device is a device separate from the medical imaging device.

[0123] 5 to 12, the cleaning layer 16 and the connecting device 30 are no longer shown in detail for clarity of the drawings, although the cleaning layer 16 and the connecting device 30 may still be provided.

[0124] For the remaining embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 12, the cleaning component 6 already described in Figure 3 is used, and the cleaning component 6 described in Figure 4 can be used in addition and / or instead.

[0125] It should be noted here that the cleaning unit 1 may have at least two similar types of cleaning components 6, or at least two different types, for example the cleaning component 6 shown in Figure 3 and the cleaning component 6 shown in Figure 4.

[0126] FIG. 5 shows the cleaning unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 in a front view in an unfilled state.

[0127] 5, the cleaning component 6 has no or only little pressure medium. What is important is that the outer contour 8 of the cleaning component 6 has a spatial extension 10 that is smaller than the spatial extension 10 of the cleaning component 6 in the filled state and / or that is smaller than the spatial extension 11 of the housing 3. What is important is that the outer contour 8 of the cleaning component 6 in the unfilled state does not come into contact with the housing.

[0128] A deformation device 12 may be provided, which comprises a deformation drive 13 and a connecting line 14. The connecting line 14 serves to connect the deformation drive 13 to the cleaning unit 1, in particular to the cleaning component 6. The cleaning unit 1 may have a connection 31 for the connecting line 14. This connection may be closable and can be opened and / or closed manually or automatically.

[0129] The deformation driver 13 can be, for example, an air compressor, which conveys air from the surroundings through a connecting line 14, thereby filling the cleaning component 6 with compressed air.

[0130] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 in an unfilled state, taken along the cutting line AA.

[0131] In FIG. 6 it can be clearly seen that the cleaning component 6 traps little or no pressure medium.

[0132] FIG. 7 shows a front view of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 3 in a filled state.

[0133] It can be clearly seen in Figure 7 that the spatial extent 10 of the cleaning component 6 is greater than the spatial extent 10 of the cleaning component 6 shown in Figure 5. This filling state of the cleaning component 6 can be achieved by filling the cleaning component 6 with a pressure medium in a deformation device 12.

[0134] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 3 in a filled state, taken along the cutting line AA.

[0135] It can be clearly seen in FIG. 8 that the cleaning component 6 encloses more pressure medium than in FIG.

[0136] FIG. 9 shows different cross-sectional views of the cleaning unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 along the section line AA with different filling levels of pressure medium.

[0137] The different filling levels of the cleaning component 6 are shown from left to right in FIG. 9, with the filling level increasing from left to right.

[0138] 9 shows the cleaning component 6 in an unfilled state, and the second view shows the cleaning component 6 in a partially filled state, with only a small amount of pressure medium trapped by the cleaning component 6. In both views showing the cleaning component in an unfilled or partially filled state, the cleaning component 6 is not in contact with the housing 3.

[0139] The third view shown in FIG. 9 shows a first filling state of the cleaning component 6, in which the filled cleaning component 6 is in contact with the housing 3.

[0140] 9 shows a second filling state of the cleaning component 6, in which more pressure medium is trapped by the cleaning component 6 than in the third view, resulting in a larger contact area between the cleaning component 6 and the housing 3 in the fourth view than in the third view of FIG.

[0141] As shown in Figure 9, a higher filling level (see Figures 3 and 4) increases the pressing force of the cleaning component 6 against the housing 3, resulting in a better sealing action and therefore more reliable cleaning.

[0142] The fifth view in FIG. 9 shows that the spatial extension 10 of the filling cleaning component 6 in the absence of the resistance of the housing 3 is greater than the spatial extension 11 of the housing 3 .

[0143] FIG. 10 shows a front view of the housing 3 and the cleaning unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 arranged in the housing 3 in an unfilled state.

[0144] In FIG. 10 it can be seen that the cleaning component 6 is present in an unfilled state, whereby no contact with the housing 3 is achieved.

[0145] FIG. 11 shows a front view of the housing 3 and the cleaning unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 arranged within the housing 3 in a partially filled state immediately prior to the filled state.

[0146] In FIG. 11, the cleaning component 6 is already filled with a small amount of pressure medium compared to FIG. 10, however the cleaning component 6 is still in a partially filled state and therefore not in contact with the housing 3.

[0147] It should be noted here that in FIG. 11 the housing 3 is not in contact with the cleaning component 6, but instead the lighting edge 28 is in contact with the cleaning component 6.

[0148] FIG. 12 shows a front view of the housing 3 and the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 3 arranged in the housing 3 in a filled state.

[0149] In Figure 12, the cleaning component 6 has trapped a sufficient amount of pressure medium and is therefore in a filled state compared to Figures 10 and 11. In the illustrated filled state of the cleaning component 6, the housing 3 is contacted by the filled cleaning component 6.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 12, preferably, the fill cleaning component 6 may be envisaged to achieve a gap-free or in other words a tight contact with the housing 3 .

[0151] It should be noted here that in Fig. 12 not only the housing 3 but also the lighting edge 28 is contacted by the cleaning component 6. However, in this embodiment variant, not the entire surface of the lighting edge 28 is contacted. When using the embodiment variant shown in Fig. 4, in which the cleaning component 6 extends up to the extension of the base part 27, it is advantageous to be able to clean not only the housing 3 but also the entire surface of the lighting edge 28. With the embodiment variant shown in Fig. 4, the cleaning component 6 also covers the gap between the lighting edge 28 and the base part 27 (visible in Figs. 10 to 12). [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 1 cleaning unit 2. Patient reception area 3. Housing 4 Medical imaging equipment 5 Support structure 6 Cleaning Components 7. Contour, preferably the outer contour of the support structure 8 Cleaning component outer contour 9. Inner contour of the housing 10 Spatial extension of cleaning unit 11 Spatial extension of the housing 12 Transformation Device 13 Transforming Drive Device 14 Connection Lines 15 Cleaning substrate 16 cleaning layer 17 Outer contour of cleaning substrate 18 Running gear 19 Patient examination table 20 Scanner unit 21 First Direction 22 Second Direction 23 Operating device 24 Output Devices 25 Travel drive unit 26. Control and adjustment unit for the running gear 27 Base 28 Lighting edge 29 Ring section 30 Coupling device 31 Connection

Claims

1. 1. A cleaning unit (1) for cleaning a housing (3) around a patient receiving area (2) of a medical imaging device (4), comprising a support structure (5) and a cleaning component (6), the cleaning component (6) being arranged along a contour (7) of the support structure (5), characterized in that the cleaning component (6) is deformable by filling it with a pressure medium, the pressure medium being a gas.

2. 2. The cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outer contour (7) of the support structure (5) and / or the outer contour (8) of the cleaning component (6) corresponds to the inner contour (9) of the housing (3).

3. The spatial extension (10) of the cleaning unit (1) in an unfilled cleaning component (6), it is smaller than the spatial extent (10) of the cleaning unit (1) in a filled cleaning component (6), and / or - in the case of a non-filled cleaning component (6), it is smaller than the spatial extension (11) of said housing (3), and / or - in the filling cleaning component (6), at least as large as or larger than the spatial extension (11) of said housing (3); A cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 3. The cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a deformation device (12) having a deformation drive (13), a pressure medium, and a connection line (14) for connecting the cleaning component (6) and the deformation drive (13), wherein the pressure medium can be introduced into the cleaning component (6) and / or removed from the cleaning component (6) using the deformation drive (13), and the cleaning component (6) can be deformed by filling and / or removing the pressure medium.

5. 3. The cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning component (6) comprises a cleaning substrate (15) and a cleaning layer (16).

6. 6. The cleaning unit (1) according to claim 5, further comprising a placement device, wherein the cleaning layer (16) can be placed on the cleaning substrate (15) by means of the placement device.

7. 6. The cleaning unit (1) according to claim 5, further comprising a supply device for providing a cleaning agent onto or within the cleaning layer (16), the cleaning agent being supplyable by means of the supply device before, during and / or after placing the cleaning layer (16) on the cleaning substrate (15).

8. 3. The cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning unit (1) is movable inside the medical imaging device (4) by means of a carriage (18).

9. 1. A medical imaging device (4) comprising a scanner unit (20), a patient receiving area (2) at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit (20), a housing (3) surrounding the patient receiving area (2), and at least one cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning unit (1) is movable within the housing (3).

10. - the non-filled cleaning component (6) is substantially surrounded without contact by said housing (3); - a filling cleaning component (6) is in contact with said housing (3); A medical imaging device (4) according to claim 9.

11. 10. Medical imaging device (4) according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning unit (1) is connected or connectable to a carriage (18) of the medical imaging device (4).

12. 10. A method for cleaning a medical imaging device (4) according to claim 9, comprising the following method steps: - the method steps of preparing a cleaning unit (1) with a filled cleaning component (6), - cleaning the housing (3) of the medical imaging device (4) with said filled cleaning component (6); The method has the following features.

13. The following method steps: - a method step of moving said cleaning unit (1) into said housing (3), - cleaning said housing (3) along a first direction (21) and / or a second direction (22) with said filled cleaning component (6), - a method step of preparing said cleaning unit (1) with an unfilled cleaning component (6), - a method step of moving said non-filled cleaning component (6) in a contactless manner inside said housing (3), - a method step of moving said cleaning unit (1) out of said housing (3), 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising at least one method step of:

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