JET INJECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

A jet injection system (10) comprising (i) a microfluidic device (100) for jet ejection and (ii) a laser-based heating system (200), wherein: —the microfluidic device (100) comprises a hosting chamber (110) defined by a chamber wall (120), the hosting chamber (110) having a chamber height he selected from the range of 5-400 μm, a chamber width we selected from the range of 2hc-10hc, and a chamber length l.sub.c defined by a first chamber end (111) and a second chamber end (112), wherein the second chamber end (112) comprises a first chamber opening (131) for jet ejection from the hosting chamber (110), and wherein the hosting chamber (110) is configured to host a liquid (50); —the laser-based heating system (200) is configured to provide laser radiation (201) to one or more of the chamber wall (120) and a liquid (50) in the hosting chamber (110).

Claims

1. A jet injection system (10) comprising (i) a microfluidic device (100) for jet ejection and (ii) a laser-based heating system (200), wherein: the microfluidic device (100) comprises a hosting chamber (110) defined by a chamber wall (120), wherein the hosting chamber (110) is configured to host a liquid (50), the hosting chamber (110) having a chamber height he selected from a range of 5-400 a chamber width we selected from a range of 2h.sub.c-10h.sub.c, and a chamber length l.sub.c defined by a first chamber end (111) and a second chamber end (112), wherein the second chamber end (112) comprises a first chamber opening (131) for jet ejection from the hosting chamber (110); and the laser-based heating system (200) is configured to provide laser radiation (201) to one or more of the chamber wall (120) and a liquid (50) in the hosting chamber (110).

2. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the chamber wall (120) is either light transmissive for the laser radiation (201) or comprises a material configured to absorb the laser radiation (201).

3. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the laser-based heating system (200) is configured to provide the laser radiation (201) to one or more of the chamber wall (120) and the liquid (50) within a first distance d1 from the first chamber end (111), wherein d1≤0.4*l.sub.c.

4. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the laser-based heating system (200) is configured to provide the laser radiation (201) to the hosting chamber (110) via the first chamber end (111).

5. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the chamber wall (120) comprises an inner chamber surface (125), wherein at least part of the inner chamber surface (125) is hydrophobic.

6. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein along at least 80% of the chamber length l.sub.c the chamber height he and chamber width w.sub.c are constant, or wherein one or both of the chamber height h.sub.c and chamber width w.sub.c vary with less than 10% relative to respective maximum values.

7. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein along at least 80% of the chamber length l.sub.c the hosting chamber (110) has a cross-sectional shape approximating a shape selected from the group consisting of a rounded rectangle, a stadium, and an oval.

8. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the chamber height he is selected from a range of 80-120 μm, and wherein the chamber width w.sub.c is selected from a range of 3h.sub.c-6h.sub.c.

9. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the hosting chamber (110) comprises a contact line barrier (126) arranged at a second distance d2 from the first chamber end (111), wherein the contact line barrier (126) is selected from the group consisting of an indentation and a protrusion.

10. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the laser-based heating system (200) comprises a continuous wave laser source, and wherein the laser-based heating system (200) is configured to provide laser radiation with a power of at least 50 mW and at most 2000 mW.

11. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the hosting chamber (110) comprises a second chamber opening (132) arranged closer to the first chamber end (111) than to the second chamber end (112), wherein the second chamber opening (132) is configured for providing the liquid (50) to the hosting chamber (110), wherein the jet injection system (10) further comprises a fluid supply (300) configured for providing the liquid (50) to the hosting chamber (110), wherein the fluid supply (300) is functionally coupled to the second chamber opening (132).

12. The jet injection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the jet injection system (10) is a handheld device, and wherein the jet injection system (10) comprises a distance holder for arranging the jet injection system (10) on a subject (400) with a desired predetermined distance between the second chamber end 112 and the subject (400).

13. A microfluidic device (100) comprising a hosting chamber (110) defined by a chamber wall (120), wherein the hosting chamber (110) is configured to host a liquid (50), wherein at least part of the chamber wall (120) is light transmissive for laser radiation (201), the hosting chamber (110) having a chamber height he selected from a range of 80-120 μm, a chamber width w.sub.c selected from a range of 3h.sub.c-4.5h.sub.c or from a range of 5.5h.sub.c-6h.sub.c, and a chamber length l.sub.c defined by a first chamber end (111) and a second chamber end (112), wherein along at least 80% of the chamber length l.sub.c the chamber height h.sub.c and chamber width w.sub.c are constant, wherein one or both of the chamber height h.sub.c and chamber width w.sub.c vary with less than 10% relative to respective maximum values, wherein the second chamber end (112) comprises a first chamber opening (131) for jet ejection from the hosting chamber (110).

14. A method for ejecting a jet (20) from the jet injection system (10) according to claim 1 or from the microfluidic device (100) according to claim 13, the method comprising: a liquid provision step comprising providing the liquid (50) to the hosting chamber (110); and an ejection step comprising providing laser radiation (201) to one or more of the chamber wall (120) and the liquid (50) such that at least part of the liquid (50) is boiled and a jet (20) is ejected.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises: a positioning step comprising positioning the microfluidic device (10) on a subject; and wherein the ejection step comprises injecting the jet (20) into the subject.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises: a second liquid provision step comprising providing a second liquid to the hosting chamber (110); and a second ejection step comprising providing laser radiation (201) to one or more of the chamber wall (120) and the liquid (50) such that the second liquid is boiled and a second jet is ejected.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0122] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which: FIG. 1A-C schematically depict embodiments of the microfluidic device and the jet injection system. FIG. 2 schematically depicts an example of an ejection of a jet with the jet ejection system. FIG. 3A-C depict experimental observations obtained using the jet injection system and the method according to the invention. The schematic drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0123] FIG. 1A schematically depicts a microfluidic device 100 for jet ejection. The microfluidic device 100 comprises a hosting chamber 110 defined by a chamber wall 120. Especially, at least part of the chamber wall 120 may be light transmissive for laser radiation 201. The hosting chamber 110 is configured to host a liquid 50. The hosting chamber 110 has a chamber height h.sub.c selected from the range of 80-120 μm, a chamber width w.sub.c selected from the range of 3h.sub.c-4.5h.sub.c or from the range of 5.5h.sub.c-6h.sub.c, and a chamber length l.sub.c defined by a first chamber end 111 and a second chamber end 112.

[0124] The hosting chamber may be filled with the liquid from the first chamber end 111 to a second distance d2 from the first chamber end 111. The second distance d2≤the chamber length l.sub.c, here depicted as approximately 0.5 l.sub.c. At the second distance d2, the liquid 50 interfaces with air and forms the meniscus 60. Specifically, FIG. 1A depicts a double meniscus 60 having a first meniscus 60, 60a and a second meniscus 60, 60b. The hosting chamber 110 may be a quasi-two-dimensional chamber which is partially filled with the liquid 50 to be ejected. The specific geometry of the hosting chamber 110 may allow the formation of a double meniscus 60 (two menisci 60) which may play a role in the self-focusing of the jet 80.

[0125] In the depicted embodiment, the laser-based heating system 200 may be configured to provide the laser radiation 201 to the chamber wall 120 and/or to the liquid 50 within a first distance d1 from the first chamber end 111, wherein d1≤0.5 chamber length l.sub.c, such as ≤0.4 l.sub.c. Especially, d1<d2.The second chamber end 112 comprises a chamber opening 131 for jet ejection from the hosting chamber 110. The hosting chamber 110 is configured for receiving laser radiation 201 to the hosting chamber wall 120 and/or to the liquid 50 in the hosting chamber 110, especially at a location closer to the first chamber end 111 than to the second chamber end 112.

[0126] In the depicted embodiment, the chamber height h.sub.c and the chamber width w.sub.c are constant along the entire chamber length l.sub.c. In particular, the hosting chamber has a chamber axis A parallel to the chamber length l.sub.c, and the cross-sectional view of the hosting chamber perpendicular to the chamber axis A is constant along the chamber axis A. In the depicted embodiment, the hosting chamber 110 has a cross-sectional shape approximating a stadium along the entire chamber length l.sub.c.

[0127] In further embodiments, along at least 80% of the chamber length l.sub.c the hosting chamber 110 may have a cross-sectional shape approximating a shape selected from the group comprising a rounded rectangle, a stadium, and an oval. In the depicted embodiment, the hosting chamber 100 has a cross-sectional shape (along the chamber length l.sub.c) approximating a stadium.

[0128] FIG. 1B schematically depicts the jet injection system 10 comprising (i) a microfluidic device 100 for jet ejection and (ii) a laser-based heating system 200, wherein: —the microfluidic device 100 comprises a hosting chamber 110 defined by a chamber wall 120, the hosting chamber 110 having a chamber height h.sub.c selected from the range of 5-400 μm, a chamber width w.sub.c selected from the range of 2h.sub.c-10h.sub.c, and a chamber length l.sub.c defined by a first chamber end 111 and a second chamber end 112, wherein the second chamber end 112 comprises a first chamber opening 131 for jet ejection from the hosting chamber 110, and wherein the hosting chamber 110 is configured to host a liquid 50; —the laser-based heating system 200 is configured to provide laser radiation 201 to one or more of the chamber wall 120 and a liquid 50 in the hosting chamber 110, wherein the laser-based heating system 200 is configured to provide the laser radiation 201 to the chamber wall 120 and/or to the liquid 50 in the hosting chamber 110 closer to the first chamber end 111 than to the second chamber end 112.

[0129] In the depicted embodiment, the hosting chamber 110 comprises a contact line barrier 126 (arranged at a second distance d2) from the first chamber end 111, wherein the contact line barrier 126 is selected from the group comprising a indentation and a protrusion. In particular, the contact line barrier 126 is depicted as a protrusion, and for visualization purposes the contact line barrier comprises a square protrusion 126a and a rounded protrusion 126b. Also, for visualization purposes only, the protrusions are depicted enlarged relative to the hosting chamber 110. In further embodiments, the contact line barrier 126 may comprise one or more indentations depressed (or “recessed”) into the chamber wall 120 (in contrast to the depicted protrusions protruding from the chamber wall 120).

[0130] In further embodiments, the barrier height (also “barrier depth”) of the contact line barrier 126 relative to the chamber wall 120 may be selected from the range of 3-70 μ, such as from the range of 5-50 μm, especially from the range of 10-40 μm. The term “barrier height” may also be used herein to refer to the depth of a indentation into the chamber wall 120. In further embodiments, an aspect ratio of the barrier height of the contact line barrier relative to the barrier length of the contact line barrier may be at least 0.8, such as at least 1, especially at least 1.2, wherein the barrier length of the contact line barrier may be (substantially) parallel to the chamber length.

[0131] In further embodiments, the contact line barrier may run continuously over the 10 chamber wall 120, i.e., the contact line barrier may comprise a single indentation or protrusion, especially arranged at the second distance d2. In further embodiments, the contact line barrier 126 may comprise a plurality of indentations and/or protrusions. The contact line 126 barrier may be configured to facilitate providing the liquid 50 to the hosting chamber 110 up to the second distance d2, i.e., the contact line barrier 126 may facilitate providing the meniscus 60 at the second distance d2 (from the first chamber end 111). The meniscus 60 may be arranged at an initial contact angle q to the chamber wall 120 (as seen from the first chamber end 111).

[0132] In further embodiments, the contact line barrier may be arranged on part of the chamber wall, especially on a side wall segment, more especially on both side wall segments.

[0133] FIG. 1B further depicts the optional posterior chamber 150 (with hyphened lines) configured downstream from the second chamber end 112 (as seen from the first chamber end 111). The posterior chamber 150 may have a posterior chamber width w.sub.g> the chamber width w.sub.c and a posterior chamber height h.sub.g >the chamber height h.sub.c. In embodiments, the posterior chamber 150 may be configured to be arranged on the subject 400 to provide a desired distance between the second chamber end 112 and the subject 400, i.e., the posterior chamber may be configured as distance holder or the distance holder may comprise the posterior chamber. Especially, in the depicted embodiment, the laser-based heating system 200 is arranged downstream from the first chamber end 111 with respect to the second chamber end 112 along the chamber axis A (parallel to the chamber length l.sub.c). The laser-based heating system 200 may be configured to provide the laser radiation 201 to the hosting chamber 110, especially to the liquid 50, via the first chamber end 111.

[0134] In the depicted embodiment, the hosting chamber 110 comprises a second chamber opening 132 arranged closer to the first chamber end 111 than to the second chamber end 112, wherein the second opening 132 is configured for providing the liquid 50 to the hosting chamber 110, especially arranged from the first chamber end 111 at a third distance d3, wherein d3<d2. The second chamber opening 132 may be configured for providing the liquid 50 to the hosting chamber 110. Especially, the jet injection system 10 further comprises a fluid supply 300 configured for providing the liquid 50 to the hosting chamber 110, wherein the fluid supply 300 is functionally coupled to the second chamber opening 132. In further embodiments, the hosting chamber 110 may comprise a plurality of second chamber openings 132, especially wherein at least two of the plurality of second chamber openings 132 are configured to supply different fluids, especially different liquids, to the hosting chamber 110.

[0135] FIG. 1C schematically depicts the microfluidic device 100 from the side to which will be ejected, i.e., from the side of the second chamber end 112. The second chamber end 112 comprises a first chamber opening 131 for jet ejection from the hosting chamber 110. The hosting chamber 110 is defined by the chamber wall 120, especially by the inner chamber surface 125, as can be clearly seen from this perspective. In the depicted embodiment, the hosting chamber 110 has a shape approximating a rounded rectangle.

[0136] FIG. 2 schematically depicts experimental observations of an ejection of a jet 80 with an embodiment of the jet injection system 10. The laser-based heating system 200 provides laser radiation 201 to the liquid 50 via the first chamber end 111. Specifically, in the depicted embodiment, the laser-based heating system 200 comprises a continuous wave laser source, and the liquid 50 comprises a dye suitable for absorbing energy (heat) from the laser radiation 201. Hence, in the corresponding embodiment, at least part of the chamber wall 120 is light transmissive for laser radiation 201. In further embodiments, however, at least part of the chamber wall 120 may comprise a material configured to absorb the laser radiation 201 for heating the liquid indirectly.

[0137] At timepoint t=0 a bubble 70 forms near the first chamber end 111; timepoint I (t=10 μs) depicts the bubble 70 just after having been formed. For visualization purposes, the laser-based heating system 200 is depicted as still providing laser radiation 201, however, the laser-based heating system 200 does not need to provide laser radiation 201 after bubble 70 generation. The bubble 70, especially the bubble edge 71, rapidly expands and moves towards the second chamber end as can be seen at time points II (t=22 μs) and III (t=73 μs). At timepoint III the generation of a jet 80 is clearly visible. At about time point IV (t=276 μs) the jet penetrates the subject 400. In the depicted example the subject 400 comprises an agar gel with a 1% agar, approximately corresponding to the toughness of the dermis layer of human skin. Time point V (t=467 μs) clearly depicts a successful injection into the subject 400, with part of the jet 80 still moving towards the subject 400.

[0138] FIGS. 3A-C depict experimental observations obtained using the jet injection system 10 and the method according to the invention. Specifically, FIGS. 3A-C depict experimental observations with varying microfluidic device dimensions and/or different second distances d2. The second distance d2 defines the position of the meniscus 60. The experiments were performed with a continuous wave laser diode, with a laser power of about 500 mW, and with a heating time period of 10 ms. The bubble energy E.sub.b (in μJ) was determined using the formula:

E.sub.b=½ρVv.sup.2

wherein ρ is the liquid density, V the total liquid volume in the hosting chamber 110, and v 10 the bubble growing speed. The jet velocities were determined based on video recording.

[0139] FIG. 3A depicts observations of the jet velocity v.sub.jet in m/s as a function of the second distance d2 in μm for hosting chambers 110 of different dimensions. Specifically, the hosting chambers 110 used here all have a height h.sub.c of 100 μm and a length l.sub.c of 1800 μm, however, the hosting chambers 110 have varying widths w.sub.c: w.sub.1 (triangles)−600 μm; w.sub.2 (diamonds)−500 μm; —w.sub.3 (squares)−400 μm; and w.sub.4 (circles)−300 μm. The hashing of the symbols indicates the bubble energy E.sub.b in μJ from 100-600 μJ (see legend).

[0140] As can be seen from the figure, for each of the hosting chamber widths w.sub.c, the jet velocity is inversely correlated with the second distance d2, which may be due to the increased volume of liquid in the hosting chamber. The jet velocity appears to approximately follow a power law in relation to the second distance:

v.sub.jet∝d2.sup.−k

wherein k is an attenuation factor, which appears to be about 0.5. Furthermore, there appears to be an anti-resonant configuration for w.sub.2(w.sub.c=500 μm) as the energy transfer (and resulting jet velocity) appears to be lower. Hence, for the specific chamber height h.sub.c (and optionally also chamber length l.sub.c), it may be preferable to have a chamber width w.sub.c≤490 μm or ≥510 μ, such as ≤450 μm or ≥550 μm, i.e., the chamber width w.sub.c may be selected from the range of 2h.sub.c-4.9h.sub.c, especially from the range of 3h.sub.c-4.5h.sub.c, or the chamber width w.sub.c may be selected from the range of 5.1h.sub.c-10h.sub.c, especially from the range of 5.5h.sub.c-6h.sub.c.

[0141] For the observations depicted in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, the second distance was varied between 200 μm and 1800 μm.

[0142] FIG. 3B depicts observations of 1/α * jet velocity v.sub.jet in m/s as a function of the bubble energy E.sub.b in μJ for hosting chambers 110 of different dimensions, wherein a corresponds to a coefficient of proportionality related to the amount of liquid to be displaced. The coefficient of proportionality a increases with increasing chamber height h.sub.c: for h.sub.c=50 μm, α=6; for h.sub.c=100 μm, α=9; and for h.sub.c=150 μm, α=12.

[0143] Specifically, the hosting chambers 110 used for FIG. 3B all have a chamber length l.sub.c of 1800 μm. The hosting chambers 110 have varying chamber heights h.sub.c: h.sub.1 (squares)−50 μm; h.sub.2 (circles)−100 μm; and h.sub.3 (diamonds)−150 μm. Further, the hashing of the symbols indicates chamber width w.sub.c in the range of 300-600 μm (see legend).

[0144] As can be seen from the figure, the relation between bubble energy E.sub.b and jet velocity v.sub.jei varies for hosting chambers with different chamber heights h.sub.c. It appears that the jet velocities are correlated with the bubble energy E.sub.b in dependence of the chamber height h.sub.c following the equation:

v.sub.jet≅αE.sub.b.sup.β

wherein α is the coefficient of proportionality, E.sub.b is the bubble energy, and β is an exponent decreasing with chamber height h.sub.c. for each chamber height, the corresponding value for β is depicted in FIG. 3B: hi (50 .sub.Ilm) corresponds to (31=1; h.sub.2 (100 .sub.Ilm) corresponds to (32=0.7; and h.sub.3 corresponds to β.sub.3=0. Hence, for a hosting chamber with a chamber height h.sub.c of 150 μm, it appears that the jet ejection velocity is (largely) independent of the bubble energy E.sub.b, especially with laser power between 350 mW and 1100 mW.

[0145] Hence, a jet injection system 10 comprising a hosting chamber 110 according to the invention with a chamber height h.sub.c of 150 μm may essentially provide consistent jet ejection velocities, even if the jet injection system 10 comprises a relatively inconsistent laser-based heating system in terms of laser power. Hence, in specific embodiments, the hosting chamber 110 may have a chamber height h.sub.c of (approximately) 150 μm. Such embodiment may be beneficial as consistent jet ejection velocities may be provided with a relatively poor (and/or cheap) laser-based heating system.

[0146] The highest observed jet velocities in FIG. 3B correspond to hosting chambers with a chamber height h.sub.c of about 100 μm. Hence, in embodiments, the hosting chamber may have a chamber height h.sub.c selected from the range of 80-120 μ, such as (approximately) 100 μm.

[0147] FIG. 3C depicts the frequency fin percentages of observing jet velocities v.sub.jet in m/s for hosting chambers with varying chambers widths w.sub.c. The hosting chambers all have a chamber height h.sub.c of 100 μm and a chamber length l.sub.c of 1800 μm. The lines correspond to hosting chambers with different chamber widths w.sub.c: L.sub.1-600 μm; L.sub.2-500 μm; L.sub.3-400 μm; L.sub.4-300 μm.

[0148] Jet velocities suitable for jet injection are observed for all chamber widths w.sub.c. In general, however, the hosting chambers with chamber widths w.sub.c of 300 μm, 400 μm or 600 μm do appear to provide higher jet velocities than hosting chambers width a chamber width w.sub.c= of 500 μm. The highest jet velocities correspond to hosting chambers with a chamber width w.sub.c of about 600 μm, for which velocities close to 60 m/s are observed. Hence, in embodiments, the hosting chamber may have a chamber width w.sub.c≥5.5 h.sub.c, especially a chamber width w.sub.c selected from the range of 5.5-6.5 h.sub.c, such as (approximately) 6 h.sub.c.

[0149] The term “plurality” refers to two or more. Furthermore, the terms “a plurality of” and “a number of” may be used interchangeably.

[0150] The terms “substantially” or “essentially” herein, and similar terms, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The terms “substantially” or “essentially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially or essentially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” or the term “essentially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. Moreover, the terms “about” and “approximately” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. For numerical values it is to be understood that the terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “about”, and “approximately” may also relate to the range of 90%-110%, such as 95%-105%, especially 99%-101% of the values(s) it refers to.

[0151] The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”.

[0152] The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after “and/or”. For instance, a phrase “item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term “comprising” may in an embodiment refer to “consisting of” but may in another embodiment also refer to “containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”.

[0153] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. The term “further embodiments” may refer to embodiments comprising the features of the previously discussed embodiments, but may also refer to an alternative embodiments.

[0154] The devices, apparatus, or systems may herein amongst others be described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation, or devices, apparatus, or systems in operation.

[0155] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0156] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

[0157] Use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “containing” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0158] The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0159] The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim, or an apparatus claim, or a system claim, enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0160] The invention also provides a control system that may control the device, apparatus, or system, or that may execute the herein described method or process. Yet further, the invention also provides a computer program product, when running on a computer which is functionally coupled to or comprised by the device, apparatus, or system, controls one or more controllable elements of such device, apparatus, or system.

[0161] The invention further applies to a device, apparatus, or system comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. Moreover, if a method or an embodiment of the method is described being executed in a device, apparatus, or system, it will be understood that the device, apparatus, or system is suitable for or configured for (executing) the method or the embodiment of the method respectively.

[0162] The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.