Abstract:
A cleaning device including an elongate wand, a cleaning cartridge with an attachment portion, and means for releasably attaching and detaching the cleaning cartridge to the opposite end of the wand. The attachment and detachment means has an ejector collar slidably fixed to the second end of the wand and movable between extended and retracted positions. The collar includes a pair of collar jaws. The attachment and detachment means also has a pair of clamp jaws on the second end of the wand lying within the ejector collar. The clamp jaws are in near abutment with an inside surface of the collar when the collar is in the retracted position. The cartridge is attached to the wand by inserting the attachment portion between the clamp jaws and clamping the clamp jaws on the attachment portion. The cartridge is detached from the wand by pushing the ejector collar along the wand body away from the second end of the wand and against the cartridge.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a tool for cleaning difficult to reach, biologically-contaminated surfaces such as the interior, patient-occupied, scanning areas of medical devices such as MRI, CAT, and PET scanners. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     MRI, CAT and PET scanners, especially inside the magnet bore, PET tunnel, or CT gantry, are very rarely cleaned because they are very hard to access. In order to clean thoroughly the internal, patient-occupied, scanning areas, one must crawl inside the bore or “tunnel” and clean within a very tight, confined area. Even if the inside of a scanner was more easily accessible, technicians have little time between patient visits (about 5-10 minutes on average) to crawl inside and thoroughly clean these tight spaces. Some of the cleaning products currently on the market, i.e., wipes or disinfectants, simply do not reach the above-described internal, patient-occupied, scanning areas and can be very expensive. As a result, patient scanners are a contamination source and contribute to the spread of resistant bacteria in hospitals. 
     As a general matter, there is a great public interest in creating cleaner and safer medical environments and, in particular, cleaner medical equipment that routinely contacts patients. To achieve this goal, it is desirable to provide a tool that will reach the internal, patient-occupied, scanning areas of scanners and any other areas where the risk of bacteria contamination may exist. To eliminate cross-contamination, it is also desirable to provide a tool that has a disposable cleaning surface and can be used with a disinfectant or sanitizer that will kill bacteria on contact. 
     In certain environments such as refineries and mining operations, a requirement exists that any tool used therein be non-sparking. In certain other magnetically-sensitive areas, a requirement exists that any tool used therein be non-magnetic. Thus, it would also be desirable to provide a non-sparking and non-magnetic cleaning tool for that can be used in such environments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to meet the needs in the art explained above, the invention provides a cleaning tool that is long enough to reach inside the bore of an MRI machine from the front of the magnet to the back end. If the back end of the magnet still cannot be reached from the front, the technician may go around to the back end and clean the magnet from back to front. The magnet can be cleaned by circular action, straight action, or semi-circular action. While the cleaning tool is equipped with a long reach wand, a smaller version of the tool handle may also be used to clean the coils in which patients either lay down on or are enclosed. Coils such as a “head coil,” “knee coil,” “cervical coil,” and “thoracic coil” are examples of the coils that can be cleaned with a shorter handled version of the tool of the present invention. The shorter handle uses the same or differing disposable cleaning implements as the longer handle. Either version of the invention can also be used to clean X-ray machines, nuclear medicine, ultrasound equipment, or any other hospital radiological equipment. 
     One highly-preferred feature of all hospital cleaning equipment is disposability. To this end, the cleaning tool of the present invention includes a disposable cleaning cartridge, which is releasably attached to the end of the tool by a snap-fit action. The disposable cartridge is ejected by a mechanism that does not require the technician to contact the contaminated cartridge. The cartridges may be provided in different densities, textures and sizes to achieve the desired cleaning effect. For example, a sponge cartridge can be used to provide general cleaning and disinfecting. A cartridge with a scrub texture can be used to scrub and clean difficult stains. A paper wipe cartridge can be used to sanitize and disinfect areas that are easier to clean. In all cases, the cleaning tool of the invention is preferably used with a liquid cleaner or sanitizer that is EPA and USDA approved. 
     More specifically, the invention comprises a cleaning device consisting of an elongate wand having a central body with a handle at a first end and a cleaning cartridge releasably attached at the opposite second end between resilient clamp jaws. The mechanism for releasably attaching and detaching the cleaning cartridge includes an ejector collar, which is affixed to the second end of the wand is movable between extended (ejection) and retracted (operative) positions. The collar includes a pair of opposed, collar jaws, which engage the engagement portion of the back plate of the cartridge. The cartridge is ejected from between the clamp jaws by pushing the ejector collar along the wand body. The ejector collar includes a nose portion, which pushes against a closely fitting pocket in the attachment portion of the back plate as the collar is moved to the extended or ejection position. The attachment portion of the back plate includes a retaining nub upwardly extending from its planar surface. The nub is captured behind the clamp jaws to lock the cartridge into snap, friction-fit engagement. When the ejector collar is in its retracted position, the clamp jaws and collar jaws are dimensioned to provide an interference or snap-fit engagement with the wiper plate in the space between the pocket and the retaining nub. The back plate pocket includes a semi-circular rim along its periphery, which abuts a corresponding surface on the nose portion of the ejector collar to provide torsional resistance between the wand and the cartridge. The back plate is preferably composed of resilient plastic and further includes a laterally-extending living hinge, which allows the cleaning implement to deflect angularly. 
     While the cleaning tool may be used in any environment, in a preferred embodiment the cleaning tool is used to clean MRI scanners. In this embodiment, the cleaning tool is made from non-ferrous materials. The tool is also non-sparking, which qualifies its use in explosive environments. The device is cost effective, easy to use, and prevents cross contamination because the cleaning cartridges are easy to dispose. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cleaning tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the cleaning tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective of the cleaning cartridge attached to the wand of the cleaning tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective of the cleaning cartridge detached from the wand of the cleaning tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective of one end of the wand body of the cleaning tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective of the ejection collar of the cleaning tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 7-9  are side, sectional views showing sequential steps of engagement and disengagement of the cartridge with the wand; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective of a cleaning cartridge in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a back elevational view of an attachment clip of the cleaning cartridge shown in  FIG. 10 ; and, 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the cardboard support back plate of the cartridge shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown therein and described below. 
     The cleaning device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9  wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to designate like elements. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the cleaning device, designated generally by reference numeral  10 , comprises a wand  12 , a disposable cleaning cartridge  14 , and a mechanism  16  for releasably attaching and detaching the cleaning cartridge  14  to and from, respectively, the wand  12 . Preferably, the mechanism  16  allows the cartridge  14  to pivot relative the wand  12 . The mechanism  16  detaches the cartridge  14  from the wand  12  without requiring the user to handle or contact the cleaning cartridge  14 . 
     The wand  12  has an elongate body portion  13  with first  13   a  and second  13   b  ends. In a preferred embodiment, the body portion  13  comprises a lightweight, hollow tube made from a non-metallic material such as plastic. The length of the body portion  13  may vary but should be long enough so that a maintenance technician can easily reach into the internal, patient-occupied areas of an MRI, CAT or PET scanner, especially inside the magnet bore, PET tunnel, or CT gantry. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the wand is about 34 inches. The diameter and thickness of the tube wall will vary with tube length and should be selected to provide adequate rigidity without excess weight. For example, for a wand length of about 34 inches, the tube may have a 0.875 inch diameter and a wall thickness of about 0.10 inches and be made from high density polyethylene (“HDPE”). 
     In a preferred embodiment, the wand  12  has a slight arc as best seen in  FIG. 2 . The arc provides a greater range of motion for cleaning the scanner. The wand may also include a recessed pocket  70 , wherein identifying indicia, such as a label, may be applied. 
     A handle  19  is formed on or attached to the first end  13   a  of the wand  12 . As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the handle  19  has a contour that compliments the grip of a human hand. Preferably, the handle  19  is made from a material that is easy to grip and is sanitizable. For example, the handle may be made from HDPE. Preferably, the handle  19  includes an integrally-formed eyelet  20 , which allows the device  10  to be hung from a hook for storage, or to be secured to the scanner via a chain or cable. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge  14  is disposable and comprises a cleaning pad  22  fixed to a supporting back plate  24 . The cleaning pad  22  may be adhered or fixed with fasteners to the back plate  24 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , the cartridge is generally planar and rectangular, and is approximately 4 inches long (measured in the direction of the lengthwise axis of the wand  12 ) by 5 inches wide; however, the shape and size of the cartridge  14  may be modified for particular cleaning applications without departing from the scope of the invention. The properties, such as grit and absorbency, of the cleaning pad  22  may also vary depending on the intended application. For example, the cleaning pad  22  may comprise a layer of sponge, felt, scouring, or squeegee material. In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning pad  22  is absorbent so that a maintenance technician can impregnate the cleaning pad with a cleaning solution prior to use. Alternatively, the cartridge  14  can be prepackaged in a sealed, liquid-tight container with a cleaning solution impregnated in the cleaning pad  22 . 
     The back plate  24  is made from a thin, rigid material. In single-use applications, the back plate  24  may be made of cardboard; however, the back plate  24  may be made of a more durable material such as plastic if the cartridge  14  is intended to be used more than once. For increased rigidity, the back plate  24  may have one or more stiffening ribs  26 ,  28 , which also serve to decorate the cartridge. 
     The cartridge  14  is releasably attached to the second end of the wand  12 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , the attachment mechanism includes a leaf  30  that is hinged to the back plate  24  and a clamp  42  that is connected to the second end of the wand  12 . While the leaf  30  of this embodiment has a single degree of freedom, other forms of leaf  30  having two or three degrees of freedom could also be utilized. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the leaf  30  comprises a tab portion of the back plate  24  that is partially cut from the back plate  24  along two cut lines  34  and partially connected to and rotatable relative to the back plate  24  along a linear hinge interface  32 . In contrast with the remaining portion of the back plate  24 , the tab portion is not adhered or fixed to the cleaning pad  22  so that the tap portion can rotate relative thereto. The linear hinge interface  32  is formed by scoring or pressing a hinge line extending between the terminus of each cut  34 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 4 , a raised, horseshoe-shaped rim  38  on the outer surface of the leaf  30  defines a pocket  36  into which the ejection collar  52 , described below, nests when the cartridge  14  is connected to the wand  12 . Preferably, the contour of the pocket  36  and the nose  56  of the ejection collar  52  compliment one another to ensure a firm interface between them. A detent is formed in the pocket  36  on the outer surface of the leaf  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the detent comprises a hemispherical nub  40 . As described in greater detail below, the nub  40  engages the clamp jaws  44  to lock the cartridge  14  on the wand  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the clamp  42  comprises a pair of jaws  44  at the second end of the wand  12 . The jaws  44  are formed by cutting an axial slot  46  in the end of the wand  12 . The axial slot  46  has a thickness slightly smaller than the thickness of the leaf  30  and a depth approximately equal to the depth of the pocket  36  in the leaf  30 . The inner end  47  of the slot is rounded to prevent the slot  46  from cracking. The jaws  44  taper to a nose  48  having a reduced-diameter end surface. A chamfered bore  50  extends through the nose  48  to the internal cavity of the wand  12 . The radius of the bore  50  is smaller than the radius of the nub  40 . The nub  40  can pass through the bore  50  and the leaf  30  can slide into the slot because the jaws  44  deflect slightly to provide a snug friction interference/connection between the leaf  30  and the jaws  44 . 
     An ejection collar  52  surrounds and is slidably fixed to the clamp  42 . As best seen in  FIGS. 7-9 , the collar  52  is movable between extended and retracted positions. In the retracted position shown in  FIG. 7 , the collar  52  permits connection between the cartridge  14  and the wand  12 . In the extended position shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the collar  52  disengages and ejects the cartridge  14  from the wand  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the ejection collar  52  has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the wand  12 . The outer surface  54  of the collar  52  may have a contour that compliments a human hand. Similar to the clamp  42 , one end of the collar  52  tapers to a nose  56  having a reduced-diameter end surface. The contour of the nose  56  compliments the shape of the pocket  36  in the leaf  30  so that the nose  56  nests closely in the pocket  36  and resists lateral movement of the cartridge  14 . 
     A slot  58  extends axially from the nose  56  to an intermediate point along the collar  52 , thereby defining opposed jaws  61 . The slot  58  has a thickness slightly larger than the thickness of the leaf  30  and a depth approximately equal to the depth of the pocket  36  in the leaf  30 . The slot  58  of the collar  52  is arranged to align with the slot  46  of the clamp  42  so that the leaf  30  of the cartridge  14  is captured in both slots. 
     Similar to the clamp  42 , a chamfered bore  60  extends through the nose  56  of the collar  52 ; however, in contrast with the clamp  42 , the radius of the bore  60  is larger than the radius of the nub so that the nub  40  can freely pass therethrough when the cartridge  14  is ejected. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , a stop nub  62  is fixed to the inner surface of the collar  52  and extends radially-inwardly into a limit slot  64  in the wand  12 . The stop nub  62  and limit slot  64  define the range of travel of the collar  52  along the wand  12 . 
     Engagement and disengagement of the cartridge  14  with the wand  12  are sequentially shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . In  FIG. 7 , the cartridge  14  is shown fully connected with the wand  12 . The cartridge is connected by forcibly inserting the leaf  30  into the aligned slots  46 ,  58  of the clamp  42  and ejector collar  52 , respectively. When the cartridge  14  and wand  12  are connected, the leaf  30  is clamped by the interference fit with the jaws  44  of the clamp  42 . The nose  56  of the ejector collar  52  abuts the pocket rim  36  to prevent lateral movement of the cartridge  14 . The nub  40  passes through to the internal side of the chamfered bore  50  to prevent axial movement of the cartridge  14 . These combined structural arrangements securely but releasably attach the cartridge to the wand. 
     Once the cleaning tool has been used and cartridge  14  is dirty or contaminated, it can be disconnected from the wand  12  by grasping the ejection collar  52  and pushing it forward (shown by the directional arrow) to its ejection position as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As the collar  52  moves forward, the nub  40  advances through the chamfered bore  50  and the leaf  30  is advanced out of the clamp slot  46  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Because both the collar  52  and the clamp  42  are convergent in the direction of the their respective nose portions, a substantial gap is created between the outside surface of the clamp jaws  44  and inside surface of the ejection collar  52 , which allows the clamp jaws  44  to open by radial expansion. As the apex of the nub  40  clears the bore  50 , the compressive force of the clamp jaws  44  on the rounded back side of the nub  40  propels the cartridge forward to assist in ejecting the leaf  30  from the slot  58 . Once the nub  40  clears the bore  50 , the cartridge  14  freely falls from the wand  12  as seen in  FIG. 9  without contacting or handling the contaminated cartridge  14 . The selection of materials and dimensions of the above-described components should be balanced to securely connection the cartridge and wand without requiring excess force to engage or disengage the cartridge. 
     The cleaning tool can be manipulated in any degree of rotation necessary to apply the cleaning pad  22  directly against internal surfaces of the scanner. The hinge of the cartridge  14  permits the cleaning pad  22  to follow the contour of the surface. To help trap dirt particles and disinfect the surface, the cleaning pad  22  may be impregnated with a cleaning solution or disinfectant, which may be applied either before or after the cartridge is connected to the wand. The cartridge  14  may also be prepackaged in a sealed, liquid-tight container with the cleaning solution or disinfectant impregnated in the cleaning pad. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of individual, pre-packaged, disposable cartridges are provided in a container. The cartridges have a cleaning solution impregnated in the cleaning pad. The container may contain a variety of cartridges having different cleaning solutions or different surface textures. 
     The cleaning cartridge  114  of a cleaning tool in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 10-12  and is designated generally by reference numeral  114 . The cleaning cartridge  114  is designed to engage and disengage with the wand  12  shown in  FIGS. 1-9  in the same manner as the previously described cartridge  14 . However, the cleaning cartridge  114  of this embodiment has a cheaper but less durable construction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the cartridge  114  is disposable and comprises a cleaning pad  122  fixed to a supporting back plate  124 . The cleaning pad  122  is preferably adhered but may be fixed with fasteners to the back plate  124 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , the cartridge  114  is generally planar and rectangular, and is approximately 4 inches long by 5 inches wide; however, the shape and size of the cartridge  114  may be modified for particular cleaning applications without departing from the scope of the invention. Like the cleaning pad of the cartridge  14  described above, the properties, such as grit and absorbency, of the cleaning pad  122  may also vary depending on the intended application. Preferably, the cleaning pad  122  is absorbent so that a maintenance technician can impregnate the cleaning pad  122  with a cleaning solution prior to use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , in this embodiment, the back plate  124  is made from cardboard. Similar to the cartridge  14  described above, a leaf  130  is hinged to the back plate  124 . As best seen in  FIG. 12 , the leaf  130  comprises a tab portion that is partially cut from the back plate  124  along two cut lines  134  and partially connected to and rotatable relative to the back plate  124  along a linear hinge interface  132 . The tab portion is not adhered or fixed to the cleaning pad  122  so that the tab portion can rotate relative thereto. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , a horseshoe-portion of the cleaning pad  122  is cut out intermediate the leaf  130 . The linear hinge interface  132  may be formed by scoring or pressing a hinge line extending between the terminus of each cut  134  or simply bending along that line. 
     A reinforcement plate  178  is fastened to the leaf  130 . As best seen in  FIG. 11 , the reinforcement plate  178  has a pair of opposed clips  180  formed along the lengthwise extending edges of the plate  178 . The clips  180  engage the lengthwise extending edges  186  of the leaf  130 . As best seen in  FIG. 10 , the reinforcement plate  178  includes a raised, horseshoe-shaped rim  138  on the outer surface of the leaf  130 , which defines a pocket  136  into which the ejection collar  52 , described above, nests when the cartridge  114  is connected to the wand  12 . Preferably, the contour of the pocket  136  and the nose  56  of the ejection collar  52  compliment one another to ensure a firm interface between them. A detent is formed in the pocket  136  on the outer surface of the leaf  130 . In a preferred embodiment, the detent comprises a hemispherical nub  140 . As described in detail above, the nub  140  engages the clamp jaws  44  to lock the cartridge  114  on the wand  12 . 
     A pair of studs  182  is fixed to and extends outwardly from the underside of the reinforcement plate  178 . The studs  182  engage apertures  184  in the leaf  130 . The studs  182  may be angled slightly rearwardly (toward the wand) in a barb-like manner so that the reinforcement plate  178  easily slides onto the leaf  130  during assembly, but will not allow the reinforcement to slidably disengage during use. 
     The reinforcement plate  178  is preferably made by injection molding from plastic such as HDPE. In contrast, the back plate  124  is made from a rigid material such as cardboard that deteriorates shortly after being saturated with a cleaning solution. Deterioration after a single use is intended so that a technician does not re-use the cleaning tool on different machines and spread contamination from one machine to another. The cardboard back plate  124  has a coating that ensures the back plate remains rigid during the initial, single use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the grain of the cardboard “G” is preferably oriented lengthwise from front to back. This preferred orientation helps the cartridge to deflect into a widthwise-arcuate shape approaching the contour of the scanner bore when the tool is inserted into either the front or back of the patient scanner. Arcuate deformation increases surface area contact between the cleaning pad  122  and the arcuate walls of the patient scanner. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.