This embodiment of the disclosure can achieve the advantage that a particularly space-saving arrangement of the suction extraction unit can be provided.

In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the disclosure, it can be provided that the suction extraction unit includes at least one suction extraction duct with a filter. In this way, it is not only possible for the air to be extracted from the patient receiving area by suction; it can also be cleaned with respect to cleaning aerosols. In addition, this is a particularly efficient way of maintaining a MAC value for the cleaning agent. The ventilation duct may also comprise an outlet opening, wherein the filter is arranged in the direction of flow of aspirated air upstream of the outlet opening. The filter may be arranged exchangeably within the suction extraction duct, wherein, for this purpose, the filter is arranged in the vicinity of the outlet opening in order to thus enable easy accessibility for users, for example cleaning staff, in order to change the filter.

In addition, the disclosure is based on a method for cleaning a patient receiving area, e.g. an enclosure surrounding the patient receiving area, of a magnetic resonance apparatus by means of a cleaning unit, wherein the method includes the following steps:

- moving a patient table into the patient receiving area, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the patient table,
- at the same time as the patient table is moved into the patient receiving area, a first cleaning step of a cleaning operation is executed, wherein the first cleaning step includes dispensing a cleaning agent by means of the cleaning unit, and
- executing a second cleaning step, wherein the second cleaning step includes a drying step and/or a suction extraction step.

The dispensing of the cleaning agent may include the distribution, e.g. spraying, of a cleaning fluid by means of a spray unit of the cleaning unit. The spray unit may comprise at least one nozzle, which can be integrated within the patient table. In addition, the spray unit can also be arranged and/or positioned on the patient table as an additional unit for a cleaning operation. The spray unit, e.g. the at least one nozzle of the spray unit, may be arranged and/or positioned in a front area of the patient table.

The arrangement and/or positioning of the cleaning unit, e.g. the spray unit, in the front area of the patient table means the spray unit is already located within the patient receiving area when the patient table starts to be moved into the patient receiving area. Therefore, the dispensing of the cleaning agent, e.g. spraying of the cleaning fluid, by means of the spray unit can be commenced at the same time as the patient table is moved into the patient receiving area. This means that the patient receiving area, e.g. the enclosure surrounding the patient receiving area, can also be sprayed with a cleaning agent along its entire length and hence cleaned.

The second cleaning step of the cleaning operation includes the drying step and/or the suction extraction step. Both the drying step and the suction extraction step are executed by means of the cleaning unit. For this purpose, the cleaning unit may comprise a drying unit and/or a suction extraction unit. The drying unit can be used to blow a drying air into the patient receiving area, which causes rapid drying of the surface of the patient receiving area, e.g. the surface of the enclosure of the patient receiving area. The suction extraction unit can be used to extract cleaning agent aerosols by suction and hence to keep the concentration of cleaning agent aerosols low, e.g. to maintain a MAC value for cleaning agent aerosols. In this case, the drying unit and/or the suction extraction unit may be arranged on the patient table and/or arranged on the enclosure surrounding the patient receiving area. In this regard, if the drying unit and/or the suction extraction unit are arranged on the patient table, the drying unit and/or the suction extraction unit can be at least partially integrated in the patient table. Alternatively, it is also possible for the drying unit and/or the suction extraction unit to be arranged and/or positioned on the patient table as an additional unit for a cleaning operation for cleaning the enclosure surrounding the patient receiving area.

The method according to the disclosure for cleaning the patient receiving area, e.g. the enclosure surrounding the patient receiving area, enables simple and efficient cleaning of the enclosure of the magnetic resonance apparatus surrounding the patient receiving area. In this case, the cleaning operation can e.g. be performed by means of the cleaning unit during a single insertion and removal of the patient table, hence enabling particularly time-saving cleaning of the enclosure surrounding the patient receiving area.

The advantages of the method according to the disclosure for cleaning an enclosure surrounding the patient receiving area substantially correspond to the advantages of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the disclosure as described above in detail. Features, advantages or alternative embodiments mentioned in this case can likewise be transferred to the other claimed subject matter and vice versa.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the disclosure for cleaning a patient receiving area, it can be provided that the second cleaning step is executed while the patient table is moved into the patient receiving area and/or while the patient table is moved out of the patient receiving area. In this regard, the second cleaning step can be executed the first time the patient table is moved into the patient receiving area during which time the first cleaning step is also executed. Alternatively or additionally, the second cleaning step can also be executed while the patient table is moved out of the patient receiving area, so that the patient table only has to be moved into and out of the patient receiving area once in order to clean the patient receiving area. This can enable particularly rapid and time-saving cleaning of the patient receiving area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

Further advantages, features and details of the disclosure will emerge from the exemplary embodiments described in the following and with reference to the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a magnetic resonance apparatus according to the disclosure with a cleaning unit in a schematic representation,

FIG. 2 illustrates a representation of the magnetic resonance apparatus with an alternative embodiment of a cleaning unit,

FIG. 3 illustrates a representation of the magnetic resonance apparatus with a further alternative embodiment of a cleaning unit,

FIG. 4 illustrates a representation of the magnetic resonance apparatus with a further alternative embodiment of a cleaning unit,

FIG. 5 illustrates a representation of the magnetic resonance apparatus with a further alternative embodiment of a cleaning unit; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a method according to the disclosure for cleaning a patient receiving area of a magnetic resonance apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a magnetic resonance apparatus (or imager) 10. The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 includes a scanner unit (or scanner) 11 formed by a magnet unit. In addition, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a patient receiving area 12 for receiving a patient. In the present exemplary embodiment, the patient receiving area 12 is cylindrical in shape and is surrounded in a circumferential direction by the scanner unit 11, e.g. by the magnet unit, in a cylindrical shape. However, in principle any suitable embodiment and/or shape of the patient receiving area 12 is conceivable.

In this regard, the scanner unit 11 comprises an enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12. In this regard, the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 can be embodied in one piece with a radio-frequency antenna unit 15 of the scanner unit 11, e.g. the magnet unit. In addition, the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 can also be embodied separately from the radio-frequency antenna unit 15.

The patient can be pushed and/or moved into the patient receiving area 12 by means of a patient support apparatus (or patient support) 16 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. For this purpose, the patient support apparatus 16 comprises a patient table 17 embodied movably within the patient receiving area 12. In this case, the patient table 17 is in particular supported so as to be movable in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the patient receiving area 12 and/or in the horizontal direction.

The scanner unit 11, e.g. the magnet unit, includes a superconducting main magnet 18 for generating a strong and in particular constant main magnetic field 19. Furthermore, the scanner unit 11, e.g. the magnet unit, comprises a gradient coil unit 20 for generating magnetic field gradients used for spatial encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 20 is controlled by means of a gradient control unit 21 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The scanner unit 11, e.g. the magnet unit, further includes the radio-frequency antenna unit 15 for exciting polarization established in the main magnetic field 19 generated by the main magnet 18. The radio-frequency antenna unit 15 is controlled by a radio-frequency antenna control unit 22 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 and radiates radio-frequency magnetic resonance sequences into the patient receiving area 12 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10.

To control the main magnet 18, the gradient control unit 21, and to control the radio-frequency antenna control unit 22, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a system control unit 23. The system control unit 23 controls the magnetic resonance apparatus centrally, such as, for example, performing a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. In addition, the system control unit 23 includes an evaluation unit (not shown in further detail) for evaluating medical image data acquired during the magnetic resonance examination.

In addition, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 includes a user interface 24 connected to the system control unit 23. Control information, such as, for example, imaging parameters, and reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be displayed on a display unit 25, for example on at least one monitor, of the user interface 24 for a medical operator. Furthermore, the user interface 24 comprises an input unit 26 by means of which information and/or parameters can be input by the medical operator during a scanning process.

For cleaning the patient receiving area 12, e.g. the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 of the scanner unit 11, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a cleaning unit 100 (also referred to as a cleaner or cleaning system). The cleaning unit 100 is at least partially arranged on the patient table 17 of the patient support apparatus 16. In this case, individual parts and/or units of the cleaning unit 100 are arranged on the patient table 17. In addition, individual parts and/or units of the cleaning unit 100 are also arranged on the patient support apparatus 16, e.g. on a base unit 27 of the patient support apparatus 16. In this regard, the cleaning unit 100 includes at least one unit that is arranged and/or integrated within the patient table 17. In other words, in this case, the at least one unit is arranged within an area enclosed by a housing of the patient table 17.

The cleaning unit 100 comprises a spray unit (also referred to herein as a sprayer) 101 embodied to dispense a cleaning agent. In this case, the spray unit 101 comprises at least one nozzle 102 embodied to dispense the cleaning agent, e.g. to spray a cleaning fluid. In this case, the spray unit 101 may comprise two or more nozzles 102 so that targeted distribution of the cleaning agent, e.g. targeted spraying of the cleaning fluid, onto the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 can be provided. In this case, the at least one unit of the cleaning unit 100 arranged within the patient table 17 includes the at least one nozzle 102 of the spray unit 101. The at least one nozzle 102 of the spray unit 101 is arranged in a front area 28 of the patient table 17. The front area 28 is arranged in a front area in the entry direction 29 of the patient table 17 in which the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12.

In addition, the spray unit 101 comprises a storage tank 103. The storage tank 103 is embodied to receive the cleaning agent. The storage tank 103 is arranged on the base unit 27 of the patient support apparatus 16. In this regard, the storage tank 103 is arranged on the base unit 27 in such a way that it can be reached by operators, e.g. medical cleaning staff, to replace the storage tank 103 and/or to refill the storage tank 103. In this regard, the base unit 27 can include a compartment accessible from the outside for receiving the storage tank 103.

In addition, the cleaning unit 100, e.g. the spray unit 101, comprises a cleaning agent duct 104 and/or a cleaning agent line, wherein the cleaning agent duct 104 and/or the cleaning agent line is arranged within the patient support apparatus 16 for transporting cleaning agent between the storage tank 103 and the at least one nozzle 102. The cleaning agent duct 104 and/or the cleaning agent line can, for example, comprise a hose and/or further supply lines that appear advisable to the person skilled in the art. In addition, the cleaning unit 100, e.g. the spray unit 101, comprises a pump 105 for transporting and/or conveying the cleaning agent within the cleaning agent duct 104 and/or within the cleaning agent line. The pump 105 is likewise arranged within the base unit 27 of the patient support apparatus 16.

In this regard, the cleaning unit 100, e.g. the spray unit 101, is activated for a cleaning operation while the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12 so that the patient receiving area 12, e.g. the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is sprayed with the cleaning agent along the entire length of the patient receiving area 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates a representation of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a cleaning unit 200. Components, features, and functions that are substantially the same are basically given the same reference numbers. The following description is substantially restricted to the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, wherein reference is made to the description of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 with respect to components, features and functions that remain the same.

The cleaning unit 200 in FIG. 2 is likewise embodied for cleaning the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 and is arranged at least partially on the patient table 17. In this case, the cleaning unit 200 comprises a spray unit 201 with at least one nozzle 202, a storage tank 203, a cleaning agent duct 204, and a pump 205. Reference is made to the statements relating to FIG. 1 with respect to the arrangement and embodiment of the spray unit 201.

The cleaning unit 200 further comprises a drying unit (also referred to herein as a dryer) 206. The drying unit 206 is embodied to allow drying air to flow into the patient receiving area 12. In the present exemplary embodiment, the drying unit 206 is at least partially arranged within the patient table 17. For instance, in this case the drying unit 206 comprises at least one air nozzle 207 arranged within the patient table 17. The drying unit 206 further comprises a ventilation duct 208 and a fan 209 and/or ventilator. The ventilator and/or fan 209 is embodied to generate an air flow. In addition, the fan 209 and/or ventilator are arranged within the base unit 27. The ventilation duct 208 is embodied to supply air into the patient receiving area 12, e.g. from the fan 209 and/or ventilator to the at least one air nozzle 207. In addition, the drying unit 206 can also comprise an air aspiration opening (not shown in further detail) arranged on an outer side of the base unit 27.

In this case, the spray unit 201 of the cleaning unit 200 can be activated for a cleaning operation while the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12 so that the patient receiving area 12, e.g. the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is sprayed with cleaning agent along the entire length of the patient receiving area 12. On the other hand, when the patient table 17 is moved out of the patient receiving area 12, the drying unit 206 of the cleaning unit 200 can be activated and in this way the patient receiving area 12, e.g. the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, can be dried.

In an alternative embodiment of the drying unit 206, the at least one air nozzle 207 can also be embodied in one piece and/or in one part with the at least one nozzle 202 of the suction unit 201. In this case, in a first mode of operation, the at least one nozzle 202, 207 could distribute the cleaning agent and, in a second mode of operation, introduce an air flow into the patient receiving area 12. In a further alternative embodiment of the drying unit 206, the at least one air nozzle 207 can also be arranged in the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12. In such an embodiment of the drying unit 206, the enclosure 14 comprises a ventilation opening through which drying air can flow into the patient receiving area 12. In a further alternative embodiment of the drying unit 206, this unit can also be embodied in one part and/or in one piece with a patient ventilation unit (not shown in further detail). The patient ventilation unit may comprise a ventilation opening, arranged in the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a representation of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a cleaning unit 300. Components, features and functions that are substantially the same are basically given the same reference numbers. The following description is substantially restricted to the differences from the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein reference is made to the description of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2 with respect to components, features and functions that remain the same.

The cleaning unit 300 in FIG. 3 is likewise embodied for cleaning the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 and is at least partially arranged on the patient table 17. In this case, the cleaning unit 300 comprises a spray unit 301 with at least one nozzle 302, a storage tank 303, a cleaning agent duct 304, and a pump 305. Reference is made to the statements relating to FIGS. 1 and 2 with respect to the arrangement and embodiment of the spray unit 301.

In addition, the cleaning unit 300 comprises a drying unit 306, wherein, in the present exemplary embodiment, the drying unit 306 is arranged by way of example on the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12. In this case, the drying unit 306 comprises an air nozzle 307, a ventilation duct 308, and a fan 309 and/or ventilator arranged within a housing surrounding the scanner unit 11. A mode of operation of the drying unit 306 is substantially the same as the mode of operation of the drying unit 206 in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the drying unit 306 could also be embodied as described in FIG. 2.

The cleaning unit 300 further comprises a suction extraction unit (also referred to herein as an extractor) 310. The suction extraction unit 310 can extract a cleaning agent aerosol by suction after the cleaning agent has been dispensed from the patient receiving area 12. In the present exemplary embodiment, the suction extraction unit 310 is at least partially arranged on the patient table 17. For this purpose, the suction extraction unit 310 comprises at least one suction nozzle 311 arranged on the patient table 17. The at least one suction nozzle 311 is arranged in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the patient table 17 downstream of the nozzle 302 of the suction unit 301. The suction extraction unit 310 furthermore includes a fan 312 and/or ventilator and/or a suction extraction pump for generating an air flow, e.g. a suction flow that effects the extraction by suction of air and/or cleaning agent aerosols from the patient receiving area 12. In addition, the suction extraction unit 310 includes a suction extraction duct 313 for discharging the aspirated air and/or cleaning agent aerosols from the patient receiving area 12 from the at least one suction nozzle 311 to a blow-out opening 314 of the suction extraction unit 310. The blow-out opening 314 is arranged on a housing of the base unit 27 of the patient support apparatus 16. In addition, the fan 312 and/or ventilator and/or the suction extraction pump is arranged within the suction extraction duct 313. The suction extraction unit 310 further comprises a filter 315 designed to clean the aspirated air with the cleaning agent aerosols. The filter 315 is arranged within the suction extraction duct 313, wherein the filter 315 is arranged in the area of the blow-out opening 314 within the suction extraction duct 313.

In an alternative embodiment of the cleaning unit 200, e.g. the suction extraction unit 310, the unit can also be at least partially embodied in one piece and/or in one part with the spray unit 301. In this case, e.g. the at least one suction nozzle 311 of the suction extraction unit 310 can be embodied in one piece and/or in one part with the nozzle 302 of the spray unit 301. In this regard, the at least one nozzle 302 can include a type of double nozzle embodied both to distribute the cleaning agent, e.g. to spray the cleaning fluid, and to extract cleaning agent aerosols by suction.

In this case, for a cleaning operation, the spray unit 301 of the cleaning unit 300 can be activated while the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12, so that the patient receiving area 12, e.g. the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is sprayed with cleaning agent along the entire length of the patient receiving area 12. In this regard, the suction extraction unit 310 can be activated at the same time as the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12 or also only activated to extract cleaning agent aerosols from the patient receiving area 12 by suction when the patient table 17 is moved out of the patient receiving area 12. In addition, the drying unit 306 of the cleaning unit 300 can be activated while the patient table 17 is moved out of the patient receiving area 12 and in this way the patient receiving area 12, e.g. the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, can be dried.

FIG. 4 illustrates a representation of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a cleaning unit 400. Components, features and functions that are substantially the same are basically given the same reference numbers. The following description is substantially restricted to the differences from the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 3, wherein reference is made to the description of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 3 with respect to components, features and functions that remain the same.

The cleaning unit 400 in FIG. 4 is likewise embodied for cleaning the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 and is arranged at least partially on the patient table 17. In this case, the cleaning unit 400 comprises a spray unit 401 with at least one nozzle 402, a storage tank 403, a cleaning agent duct 404 and a pump 405. In this case, reference is made to the statements relating to FIGS. 1 to 3 with respect to the arrangement and embodiment of the spray unit 401.

In addition, the cleaning unit 400 in FIG. 4 also comprises a drying unit 406 arranged at least partially within the patient table 17. The drying unit 406 comprises an air nozzle 407, a ventilation duct 408, and a fan 409 and/or ventilator. Reference is made to the statements relating to FIG. 2 with respect to the arrangement and embodiment of the drying unit 406.

The cleaning unit 400 further comprises a suction extraction unit 410 by means of which a cleaning agent aerosol can be extracted from the patient receiving area 12 by suction after the cleaning agent has been dispensed. The suction extraction unit 410 is at least partially arranged on the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12. The suction extraction unit 410 comprises at least one suction nozzle 411 arranged on the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12. In addition, the suction extraction unit 410 comprises a fan 412 and/or ventilator and/or a suction extraction pump, a suction extraction duct 413, a blow-out opening 414, and a filter 415. The blow-out opening 414 is arranged on a housing of the scanner unit 11, e.g. on a rear side of the scanner unit 11. The suction extraction duct 413 is arranged within an area surrounded by the housing of the scanner unit 11 and embodied to transport air and/or cleaning agent aerosols extracted by suction from the patient receiving area 12 to the blow-out opening 414. Reference is made to the statement relating to FIG. 3 with respect to the mode of operation of the suction extraction unit 410.

In this case, for a cleaning operation, the spray unit 401 of the cleaning unit 400 can be activated while the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12 so that the patient receiving area 12, e.g. the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, is sprayed with the cleaning agent along the entire length of the patient receiving area 12. In this regard, the suction extraction unit 410 can be activated to extract cleaning agent aerosols from the patient receiving area 12 by suction at the same time as the patient table 17 is moved into the patient receiving area 12 or also only when the patient table 17 is moved out of the patient receiving area 12. In addition, the drying unit 406 of the cleaning unit 400 can be activated while the patient table 17 is moved out of the patient receiving area 12 and in this way the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 can be dried.

FIG. 5 is a representation of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a cleaning unit 500. Components, features, and functions that are substantially the same are basically given the same reference numbers. The following description is substantially restricted to the differences from the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 4, wherein reference is made to the description of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 4 with respect to components, features and functions that remain the same.

The cleaning unit 500 in FIG. 5 is likewise embodied for cleaning the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 and is at least partially arranged on the patient table 17. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cleaning unit 500 is at least partially embodied as an additional unit, wherein the additional unit can be arranged and/or positioned on the patient table 17 for cleaning the enclosure 14 surrounding the patient receiving area