Cleaning Information for Medical Device Surface Cleaning

Abstract

A method for providing cleaning information for at least one surface of a medical imaging device. The method includes: recording contact data indicating contact between a person and at least one surface of the medical imaging device, wherein the contact data is recorded by at least one surface sensor unit; evaluating the contact data by an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation of the contact data comprises identifying those surfaces of the medical imaging device which indicate a contact with and/or a physical proximity to a person; and generating cleaning information for the identified surfaces on the basis of the evaluated contact data and providing the cleaning information for the surfaces.

Claims

1. A method for providing cleaning information for at least one surface of a medical imaging device, comprising: recording contact data indicating contact between a person and at least one surface of the medical imaging device, wherein the contact data is recorded by at least one surface sensor unit; evaluating the contact data by an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation of the contact data comprises identifying those surfaces of the medical imaging device which indicate a contact with or a physical proximity to a person; and generating cleaning information for the identified surfaces on the basis of the evaluated contact data and providing the cleaning information for the surfaces.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical imaging device has two or more housing parts, each having a surface sensor unit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cleaning information for the identified surfaces is presented to a user visually by a visualization unit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cleaning information comprises a cleaning plan for cleaning the identified surfaces.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a cleaning operation in accordance with the cleaning plan is performed in a further method step.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a cleaning of the identified surfaces is recorded.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein a cleaning progress of a cleaning of the identified surfaces is presented visually to a user by a visualization unit.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cleaning information is stored together with the cleaning progress or examination information.

9. A medical imaging device comprising a scanner unit, a patient receiving zone at least partially enclosed by the scanner unit, and a patient support and positioning device, wherein the scanner unit and the patient support and positioning device have two or more housing parts, and the two or more housing parts each comprise a surface sensor unit.

10. The medical imaging device of claim 9, comprising an evaluation unit, wherein the medical imaging device is configured to perform a method for providing cleaning information for at least one surface of the medical imaging device by: recording contact data indicating contact between a person and the at least one surface of the medical imaging device, wherein the contact data is recorded the surface sensor unit; evaluating the contact data by the evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation of the contact data comprises identifying those surfaces of the medical imaging device which indicate a contact with or a physical proximity to a person; and generating cleaning information for the identified surfaces on the basis of the evaluated contact data and providing the cleaning information for the surfaces.

11. The medical imaging device of claim 10, comprising an accessory unit having a surface sensor unit, wherein the accessory unit is connected to the evaluation unit for data exchange purposes.

12. The medical imaging device of claim 9, wherein the surface sensor unit has at least one pressure-sensitive array sensor.

13. The medical imaging device of claim 9, wherein the surface sensor unit has at least one capacitive touch sensor or inductive touch sensor.

14. The medical imaging device of claim 9, wherein the scanner unit or the patient support and positioning device or an accessory unit comprises a surface, and a surface layer of the surface comprises the surface sensor unit.

15. The medical imaging device of claim 9, wherein the medical imaging device comprises a magnetic resonance device or a computed tomography device or a PET device.

16. A non-transitory computer program product which comprises a program loadable directly into a memory of a programmable computing unit and which has program for performing a method for providing cleaning information for at least one surface of a medical imaging device of claim 1 when the program is executed in the computing unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Further advantages, features and specific details of the disclosure will become apparent from the exemplary aspects described in the following, as well as with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 shows an inventive medical imaging device in a schematic view,

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through a surface of the medical imaging device, and

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an inventive method for providing cleaning information for at least one surface of a medical imaging device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a medical imaging device 10 in a schematic view. In the present exemplary aspect, the medical imaging device 10 is formed by a magnetic resonance device 11, the present disclosure being explained by way of example with reference to the magnetic resonance device 11. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a magnetic resonance device 11 as an aspect of the medical imaging device 10, and other aspects of the medical imaging device 10 are conceivable at any time, such as, for example, an aspect in the form of a computed tomography device and/or a PET device, etc.

[0053] The magnetic resonance device 11 comprises a scanner unit 12 formed by a magnet unit. In addition, the magnetic resonance device 11 has a patient receiving zone 13 for accommodating a patient 14. In the present exemplary aspect, the patient receiving zone 13 is embodied in the shape of a cylinder and is cylindrically enclosed by the scanner unit 12, in particular by the magnet unit, in a circumferential direction. In principle, however, a different aspect of the patient receiving zone 13 is conceivable at any time. The patient 14 can be introduced and/or driven into the patient receiving zone 13 by means of a patient support and positioning device 15 of the magnetic resonance device 11. For this purpose, the patient support and positioning device 15 has a patient table 16 embodied so as to be movable inside the patient receiving zone 13. In particular, the patient table 16 is in this case mounted as movable in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the patient receiving zone 13 and/or in the z-direction.

[0054] The scanner unit 12, in particular the magnet unit, of the magnetic resonance device 11 comprises a superconducting main magnet 17 for generating a strong and in particular constant main magnetic field 18. In addition, the scanner unit 12, in particular the magnet unit, of the magnetic resonance device 11 has a gradient coil unit 19 for generating magnetic field gradients which are used for spatial encoding during an imaging session. The gradient coil unit 19 is controlled by means of a gradient control unit 20 of the magnetic resonance device 11. The scanner unit 12, in particular the magnet unit, of the magnetic resonance device 11 additionally comprises a radiofrequency antenna unit 21 for exciting a polarization which becomes established in the main magnetic field 18 generated by the main magnet 17. The radiofrequency antenna unit 21 is controlled by a radiofrequency antenna control unit 22 of the magnetic resonance device 11 and beams radiofrequency magnetic resonance sequences into the patient receiving zone 13 of the magnetic resonance device 11.

[0055] The magnetic resonance device 11 has a system control unit 23 for controlling the main magnet 17, the gradient control unit 20 and the radiofrequency antenna control unit 22. The system control unit 23 is responsible for the centralized control of the magnetic resonance device 11, such as for performing a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence, for example. In addition, the system control unit 23 comprises an evaluation unit (not shown in further detail) for evaluating medical image data recorded during a magnetic resonance examination.

[0056] The scanner unit 12 of the magnetic resonance device 11 is arranged together with the patient support and positioning device 15 inside an examination room 24. The system control unit 23, on the other hand, is arranged inside a control room 25. The control room 25 is embodied separately from the examination room 24. In particular, the examination room 24 is shielded from the control room 25 in terms of radiofrequency radiation. During a magnetic resonance examination, the patient 14 is situated inside the examination room 24, whereas the medical operating staff are situated inside the control room 25.

[0057] In addition, the medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11, comprises a first user interface 26, which is connected to the system control unit 23 for data exchange purposes. The first user interface 26 is arranged inside the control room 25 and has an input unit 27 and a display unit and/or visualization unit 28. Control information, such as, for example, imaging parameters, as well as reconstructed magnetic resonance images may be displayed to a member of the medical operating staff by means of the display unit and/or visualization unit 28, for example on at least one monitor, of the first user interface 26. Furthermore, information and/or parameters may be input by the medical operating staff by means of the input unit 27 of the first user interface 26 during a measurement scan.

[0058] The medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11, further comprises a second user interface 29, which is arranged inside the examination room 24. The second user interface 29 is likewise connected to the system control unit 23 for data exchange purposes. The second user interface 29 likewise has a visualization unit 30. The visualization unit 30 comprises a display which, in the present exemplary aspect, is integrated in a front housing 31 of the scanner unit 12. In this case the display may be embodied as a touch display. The second user interface 29 may further comprise a separate input unit, not shown in more detail in FIG. 1, such as, for example, operator control keys and/or control knobs integrated in the front housing 31 of the scanner unit 12. In principle, the visualization unit 30 may also comprise a monitor, which is mounted on a ceiling of the examination room 24 by means of a ceiling stand, for example, and/or a projection unit.

[0059] The scanner unit 12 additionally comprises a housing 32 having a surface 33. Similarly, the patient support and positioning device 15 also comprises a housing 34 having a surface 35. The housing 32 of the scanner unit 12 and/or the housing 34 of the patient support and positioning device 15 each comprise two or more housing parts 36, 37 having a surface (see FIG. 2 in this regard). The housing parts 36, 37 each comprise a surface sensor unit 38, the surface sensor units 38 in each case being embodied to record a contact and/or a touching between a person, in particular a member of the medical operating staff and/or the patient 14, and the respective surface.

[0060] In addition, the medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11, has at least one accessory unit 39. In the present exemplary aspect, the accessory unit 39 comprises a local radiofrequency coil for recording the magnetic resonance signals. The local radiofrequency coil likewise comprises a surface 40 having a surface sensor unit which is embodied to record a contact and/or a touching between the surface 40 of the local radiofrequency coil and a person, in particular one of the medical operating staff and/or the patient 14. In an alternative aspect of the accessory unit 39, the accessory unit 39 may also comprise an ECG unit and/or a support unit, such as a support cushion, for example, and/or other accessory units 39 that are deemed appropriate by the person skilled in the art.

[0061] An arrangement and/or integration of a surface sensor unit 38 inside a housing 32 is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows by way of example the housing 32 of the scanner unit 12, the surface sensor unit 38 being arranged and/or integrated in an analogous manner in the housing 34 of the patient support and positioning device 15 and/or in the housing 40 of the accessory unit 39. In this case the housing 32, in particular the surface 33 of the housing 32, has a plurality of surface layers 41, one of the surface layers 41 of the surface 33 comprising the surface sensor unit 38. An outer surface layer 41 may in this case comprise a resist layer and/or a protective layer.

[0062] The individual surface sensor units 38 may contain a pressure-sensitive array sensor and/or a capacitive touch sensor and/or an inductive touch sensor and/or a proximity sensor, etc. for the purpose of recording a contact and/or a touching between a person, in particular one of the medical operating staff and/or the patient 14, and a surface.

[0063] The medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11, in FIG. 1 has an evaluation unit 42 for evaluating recorded sensor data and/or recorded contact data. The evaluation unit 42 is connected to the individual surface sensor units 38 for the purpose of a data exchange, in particular a transmission of sensor data recorded by means of the surface sensor units 38 and/or recorded contact data. In the present exemplary aspect, the evaluation unit 42 is integrated inside the system control unit 23. In an alternative aspect of the disclosure, the evaluation unit 42 may also be embodied separately from the system control unit 23.

[0064] The illustrated medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11, may of course comprise further components that are normally included in medical imaging devices 10, in particular in the magnetic resonance devices 11. Furthermore, a general principle of operation of a medical imaging device 10, in particular of a magnetic resonance device 11, is known to the person skilled in the art, so a detailed description of the further components is dispensed with.

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an inventive method for providing cleaning information for at least one surface 33, 35, 40 of a medical imaging device 10. The method is carried out by means of the medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11.

[0066] The method is controlled by means of the evaluation unit 42 of the medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11. For this purpose, the evaluation unit 42 has a processor and suitable control software and/or control programs. When the control software and/or control programs are executed, suitable control commands are generated in order to implement the method, such as for example, activation commands for activating the surface sensor units 38 at the start of a medical imaging examination or at the start of a preparation of the medical imaging examination.

[0067] In a first method step 100, contact data pertaining to at least one surface 33, 35, 40 of the medical imaging device 10, in particular of the magnetic resonance device 11, coming into contact with a person, in particular one of the medical operating staff and/or the patient 14, is recorded by means of the surface sensor units 38. The recording of the contact data may in this case already begin with a commencement and/or start of a preparation of the medical imaging examination, which means that contact data pertaining to contact between the medical operating staff and/or the patient 14 and the individual surfaces 33, 35, 40 is recorded already during the overall preparations for the medical imaging examination. Furthermore, the recording of the contact data may also be performed during the entire duration of the medical imaging examination, such that the recording does not terminate until the completion of the medical imaging examination, in particular until the patient support and positioning device 15 is vacated by the patient 14. Alternatively hereto, it may also be that no recording of contact data by means of the surface sensor units 38 is performed during a period in which the patient 14 is situated inside the patient receiving zone 13 of the medical imaging device 10 for a diagnostic and/or clinical imaging examination. In such a case, the individual surface sensor units 38 may also be deactivated by the evaluation unit 42 and only be reactivated as soon as the patient 14 is moved out of the patient receiving zone 13 by means of the patient table 16. The individual surface sensor units 38 independently record in each case whether a contact has occurred between a person, in particular the patient 14 and/or one of the medical operating staff, and the respective surface 33, 35, 40.

[0068] Furthermore, the surface sensor units 38 may be permanently activated in order to record a contact, thereby also enabling contacts between a person and a surface 33, 35, 40 to be recorded outside of an active phase of the medical imaging device 10. For example, a contact caused by a person entering the examination room 24 on a weekend may also be recorded in this way.

[0069] A contact and/or a touching between a person and a surface 33, 35, 40 of the medical imaging device 10, in particular of the magnetic resonance device 11, during the preparation of the medical imaging examination may be caused for example by the patient 14 touching side areas of the patient support and positioning device 15 and/or the patient table 16 when sitting up on the patient table 16 and lying down on the patient table 16. Support units, for example support cushions for supporting the head and/or the legs etc. of the patient 14 may also be touched. Furthermore, medical operating staff may touch and/or come into contact with further surfaces 35 on the patient table 16 during the preparation of the medical imaging examination for attaching an accessory unit 39, for example a local radiofrequency antenna unit and/or an ECG unit. In the process, the surfaces 40 of the accessory units 39 are also touched both by the patient 14 and by the medical operating staff. The arms of the patient 14 may also touch an enclosure of the patient receiving zone 13 and/or side areas of the patient table 16 during a positioning of the patient table 16 inside the patient receiving zone 13. Depending on the type of medical imaging examination, further instances of touching and/or contact between the patient 14 and/or the medical operating staff and a surface 33 of the medical imaging device 10 may occur.

[0070] Instances of contact and/or touching between the patient 14 and a surface 33 of the medical imaging device 10, in particular the surface 33 of the enclosure of the patient receiving zone 13, may also occur during the medical imaging examination. Following the medical imaging examination, the patient may also come into further contact with and/or touch side panels of the patient support and positioning device 15 when leaving the patient table 16.

[0071] Furthermore, further instances of contact between a person and the individual surfaces 33, 35, 40 of the medical imaging device are possible at any time. All these instances of contact, if any, are recorded by the individual surface sensor units 38 in this first method step 100.

[0072] In a subsequent, second method step 101, an evaluation of the contact data is carried out by means of the evaluation unit 42 following a completion of the medical imaging examination. For this purpose, the evaluation unit 42 has suitable evaluation software and/or evaluation programs. When the evaluation software and/or evaluation programs are executed, suitable control commands for evaluating the contact data are generated. The contact data is preferably evaluated automatically and/or autonomously by means of the evaluation unit 42. The evaluation of the recorded contact data in this case comprises identifying those surfaces 33, 35, 40 of the medical imaging device 10, in particular of the magnetic resonance device 11, which indicate a contact with and/or a physical proximity to a person, in particular the patient 14 and/or one of the medical operating staff. For example, surfaces 33, 35, 40 directly adjacent to a surface 33, 35, 40 with which contact has been made may be determined as identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 by the evaluation unit 42.

[0073] Next, in a further, third method step 102, cleaning information specific to the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 is generated. In this case the cleaning information is generated by means of the evaluation unit 42. The cleaning information preferably comprises information as to which of the surfaces 33, 35, 40, in particular the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40, were touched by and/or came into contact with a person and/or are in proximity to a surface with which contact has been made and consequently should undergo a cleaning operation before the medical imaging device 10 is again occupied by another patient. Furthermore, the cleaning information may also include the type of cleaning for the respective surface 33, 35, 40 to be cleaned and/or also an order in which the respective surfaces 33, 35, 40 requiring cleaning are to be cleaned, etc. Particularly advantageously, the cleaning information for the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 includes a cleaning plan for cleaning the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40.

[0074] In this third method step 102, the cleaning information generated for the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 is then also provided. In this case the cleaning information is provided by means of the evaluation unit 42. The cleaning information provided for the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 is in this case presented visually to a user, in particular a cleaning operative and/or one of the medical operating staff, by means of the visualization unit 30 of the second user interface 29 inside the examination room 24.

[0075] The cleaning plan comprises in particular instructions on cleaning the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40. In this case the cleaning plan and/or the instructions may specify and/or recommend an order in which the surfaces 33, 35, 40 requiring cleaning are to be cleaned, such as, for example, step-by-step instructions for cleaning the surfaces 33, 35, 40 of the medical imaging device 10 that are to be cleaned. Alternatively or in addition, the cleaning plan and/or the instructions may also specify and/or recommend a type of cleaning for the individual surfaces 33, 35, 40 to be cleaned. Alternatively or in addition, the cleaning plan and/or the instructions may also specify and/or recommend a cleaning agent for the individual surfaces 33, 35, 40 to be cleaned.

[0076] In a further, fourth method step 103, a cleaning of the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 is then performed in accordance with the cleaning plan. The cleaning of the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 is preferably carried out manually by a cleaning operative. Alternatively or in addition, it may also be that the cleaning of the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 is performed at least partially automatically by means of a cleaning unit.

[0077] During the fourth method step 103, in particular during a cleaning of the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40, a cleaning of the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 is also recorded. The cleaning of the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 is recorded by means of the surface sensor unit 38. At the same time, a cleaning progress of the cleaning of the identified surfaces 33, 35, 40 is also presented visually. The visual presentation of the cleaning progress is realized by means of the visualization unit 30 of the second user interface 29 inside the examination room 24 for the benefit of a user, in particular a cleaning operative and/or one of the medical operating staff, so that the user receives instant feedback during a cleaning operation.

[0078] In a further, fifth method step 104, the cleaning information is stored together with the cleaning progress and/or examination information. Preferably, the cleaning information is stored together with the cleaning progress and/or the examination information in a database and/or a memory unit. The examination information may in this case comprise a region to be examined of the patient 14. Furthermore, the examination information may also comprise the type of medical imaging examination. In the case of a magnetic resonance examination, for example, the examination information may comprise protocol information and/or sequence information, in particular which protocol and/or which sequences were used for the magnetic resonance examination.

[0079] Although the disclosure has been illustrated and described in more detail on the basis of the preferred exemplary aspect, the disclosure is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived herefrom by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the disclosure.