Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: A method for cell stimulation by mechanical energy as well as a method for determining a subject specific set of treatment parameters for acoustic wave stimulation and a method for validating a set of treatment parameters for acoustic wave stimulation. The method for determining a subject specific set of treatment parameters includes generating subject specific data, which includes measuring a geometric property of a body portion, and determining a target field distribution in the body portion. The method for validating a set of treatment parameters for acoustic wave stimulation includes determining a target field distribution of an acoustic field in a body portion, receiving a related set of treatment parameters for at least one transducer, generating a subject specific 3D model of the body portion, and determining a difference between the target field distribution and a field distribution determined in the subject specific 3D model.

Abstract: A production cell includes: at least one robot arranged to handle products; at least one buffer area for intermediate storage of products inside the production cell; a vision system with cameras arranged to determine, based on images from the cameras, the identity and the location of objects in the production cell a plurality of production modules, each production module comprising at least one Hardware Module configured to process products; and a plurality of module attachment locations, each module attachment location being configured to connect with an interface section of a production module through at least a physical connection and a power connection.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: A method for supporting designing and operation of a robotic system includes operating a computer-based Inventory configured to operate in a robotic system having Hardware Modules to perform a task, the Inventory including Hardware Module Descriptions including a unique identifier, a description of physical characteristics, a current status and historical data the Hardware Module. The method including the steps of collecting status data of the Hardware Module; collecting operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module and updating the historical data accordingly; and at least one of the steps of scheduling maintenance actions to be performed on the Hardware Module; deriving or modifying, based on the operating data, historical data that is associated with a type of the Hardware Module.

Abstract: A Hardware Module for a robotic system includes at least one sensor for measuring an internal property of the Hardware Module, a communication unit for communicating with other Hardware Modules, a data storage unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to collect collected data, the collected data including: status data representing the current status of the Hardware Module; and operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module wherein at least part of the collected data is determined from sensor data from the at least one sensor, and the embedded controller is configured to perform at least one of: storing the collected data on the data storage unit; and transmitting the collected data via the communication unit.

Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating device for use with a heat source and an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol generating device comprises an elongate body extending between an upstream end and a downstream end, the elongate body having an upstream recess for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate and a heat source. The aerosol generating device further comprises an annular cutting edge disposed at the upstream end of the upstream recess. The aerosol generating device further comprises an ejection element disposed within the elongate body, the ejection element being movable between a first position and a second position, the ejection element extending further into the upstream recess in the second position than in the first position. There is further provided a pack for use with the aerosol generating device.

Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating device for use with a heat source and an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol generating device comprises an elongate body having a longitudinal surface extending between an upstream end and a downstream end. The elongate body comprises an opening at the downstream end of the elongate body, and a cavity for receiving a heat source and an aerosol-forming substrate. The cavity is accessible through an aperture in the longitudinal surface of the elongate body. The upstream end of the cavity is closed and the downstream end of the cavity is in fluid communication with the opening. The aerosol generating device further comprises a closing member movable relative to the elongate body between an open position in which the aperture in open, and an experience position in which the aperture is closed by a first portion of the closing member. There is further provided an aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating device.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of transducers, in particular linear vibration generators. It concerns a vibration generator, devices comprising such a vibration generator and a related treatment method. A vibration generator comprising a mass, a coil, a permanent magnet and a housing, wherein the mass can be set in an oscillatory motion with respect to the housing by applying a current to the coil, and the vibration generator further comprising an axle, wherein the oscillatory motion is along the axle, and in that the mass comprises the permanent magnet and the coil is fixed to the housing.

Abstract: A robotic system includes at least two Hardware Modules, each having at least one sensor for measuring an internal property, a communication unit, a data storage unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to collect collected data including status data representing the current status of the Hardware Module; and operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module. At least part of the collected data is determined from sensor data, and the embedded controller is configured to store or transmit the collected data. The robotic system including a central computation and command unit configured to receive the collected data; and to control operation of the robotic system by controlling operation of at least one actuator of the at least two Hardware Modules.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods in the field of mechanical vibrational energy therapy, in particular oscillation stimulation of a subject. A device comprises a housing and the housing comprises a contact surface for being put in contact with the subject; a sensor element configured to detect a contact between the contact surface and the subject and optionally to transform a contact pressure between the contact surface of the device and the subject to which the mechanical vibrational energy is to be applied into a pressure dependent output signal; and a transducer configured to convert an electric input signal into an axial oscillatory motion of a mass, wherein the transducer comprises a coil and a permanent magnet, wherein the mass can be moved relative to the housing, wherein the relative movement of the mass is configured to cause at least the contact surface to vibrate, and wherein the mass comprises the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A robotic system includes at least two Hardware Modules, each having at least one sensor for measuring an internal property, a communication unit, a data storage unit and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is configured to collect collected data including status data representing the current status of the Hardware Module; and operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module. At least part of the collected data is determined from sensor data, and the embedded controller is configured to store or transmit the collected data. The robotic system including a central computation and command unit configured to receive the collected data; and to control operation of the robotic system by controlling operation of at least one actuator of the at least two Hardware Modules.

Abstract: A method for cell stimulation by mechanical energy as well as a method for determining a subject specific set of treatment parameters for acoustic wave stimulation and a method for validating a set of treatment parameters for acoustic wave stimulation. The method for determining a subject specific set of treatment parameters includes generating subject specific data, which includes measuring a geometric property of a body portion, and determining a target field distribution in the body portion. The method for validating a set of treatment parameters for acoustic wave stimulation includes determining a target field distribution of an acoustic field in a body portion, receiving a related set of treatment parameters for at least one transducer, generating a subject specific 3D model of the body portion, and determining a difference between the target field distribution and a field distribution determined in the subject specific 3D model.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of cell stimulation by mechanical energy, in particular by acoustic energy, for example stimulation by ultrasound, such as focused ultrasound (FUS). It relates to treatment devices and components thereof as well as methods for setting up or producing such devices or components. One purpose of the invention is to make devices for cell stimulation by mechanical energy more user friendly and applicable for a wider public and for additional applications. A treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation to a body portion is portable and includes a carrier element, at least one transducer and communication device configured to receive operating parameters for the at least one transducer from a remote computerized device. A method for setting up a treatment device for acoustic wave stimulation includes receiving operating parameters for the at least one transducer from a remote computerized device.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: A container for aerosol-generating articles is provided, including: a box portion formed from a single laminar blank; a lid portion formed from a same single laminar blank as the box portion; a plurality of aerosol-generating articles disposed within the box portion; and a removable laminar blank made from a same material as the single laminar blank, the removable laminar blank being disposed within and attached to the lid portion, the removable laminar blank including at least one longitudinal line of weakness, and the removable laminar blank being foldable along the at least one longitudinal line of weakness to form an elongate cleaning tool having a scraping surface at a distal end thereof.

Abstract: A production cell includes: at least one robot arranged to handle products; at least one buffer area for intermediate storage of products inside the production cell; a vision system with cameras arranged to determine, based on images from the cameras, the identity and the location of objects in the production cell a plurality of production modules, each production module comprising at least one Hardware Module configured to process products; and a plurality of module attachment locations, each module attachment location being configured to connect with an interface section of a production module through at least a physical connection and a power connection.

Abstract: A method for supporting designing and operation of a robotic system includes operating a computer-based Inventory configured to operate in a robotic system having Hardware Modules to perform a task, the Inventory including Hardware Module Descriptions including a unique identifier, a description of physical characteristics, a current status and historical data the Hardware Module. The method including the steps of collecting status data of the Hardware Module; collecting operating data representing usage of the Hardware Module and updating the historical data accordingly; and at least one of the steps of scheduling maintenance actions to be performed on the Hardware Module (3); deriving or modifying, based on the operating data, historical data that is associated with a type of the Hardware Module.