Patent Publication Number: US-2023147534-A1

Title: Actuator

Description:
The present disclosure relates to an actuator, an actuator assembly, a method of operating an actuator, a computer program and a system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Low volume liquid handling devices, such as microfluidic devices, require the precise control and manipulation of fluids through an array of channels. Conventional passive control may limit the complexity and number of operations achievable in a liquid handling device. As such, passive control may be unsuited to liquid handling devices for performing advanced diagnostic tests, such as immunoassays which may require mixing of multiple solutions and reagents, with precise control of volumes and mixing times. 
     Active control of flow through channels by actively opening and closing valves with an external actuator greatly broadens the range of operations possible. However, liquid handling devices and systems with active control are generally larger and more expensive than their passively controlled counter parts, since they require an external actuator. 
     Further, there is a current trend towards providing point-of-care health testing services, which bring a diagnostic test conveniently and immediately to a patient, allowing better and faster clinical decisions to be made. However, point-of-care devices and systems must be kept portable and affordable if they are to be successfully deployed. 
     Thus, there is a need to provide compact, reliable and low cost actuators that are suitable for complex control of multiple valves in a liquid handling device. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary introduces concepts that are described in more detail in the detailed description. It should not be used to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one aspect, an actuator may comprise a plurality of independently operable actuation elements and an operator having an operator surface. Each actuation element may have an actuation surface. The operator may be driveable to move the operator surface along a path to selectively engage with the respective actuation surface of each actuation element to actuate the actuation element. 
     This actuator design is simple, reliable and compact, while still enabling complex independent control of a plurality of actuation elements. 
     The actuation elements may be arranged or mounted in an actuation element rack. The actuator may be a valve actuator and the actuation elements may be for actuating a corresponding plurality of valves. For example, such a valve actuator may be for a system, such as a diagnostic system, for receiving a liquid handling device comprising the corresponding plurality of valves. 
     The actuator may be configured such that the operator surface cannot engage with the actuation surfaces of the actuation elements as the operator surface moves along the path in one direction, and such that the operator surface can engage with the actuation surfaces of the actuation elements as the operator surface moves along the path in the opposite direction (i.e. opposite to the one direction). 
     In this instance, the one direction may be referred to as a non-engaging direction and the opposite direction may be referred to as an engaging direction. As the operator surface moves in an engaging direction, it may engage an actuation surface and actuate the respective actuation element. Conversely, as the operator surface moves in a non-engaging direction, it may not engage an actuation surface and not actuate the respective actuation element. 
     The path may be a closed loop, such as an ellipse or circle or any other closed curve, regular or irregular. An advantage of a closed loop path is that it may provide a more compact actuator for a given number of actuation elements. An actuator with a closed loop path, and in particular a circular path, may also be driven by a simple driving means, such as an electric motor, without the need for a complex driving mechanism. 
     The plurality of actuation elements may comprise three or more actuation elements. The total number of actuation elements is essentially unlimited, meaning that a single actuator can be adapted to provide as many actuation elements as required for a given purpose. 
     The operator may be configured to operate only one actuation element of the plurality of actuation elements at any one time, providing precise control of the actuation elements. 
     The operator may be driveable to move the operator surface along the path to selectively engage with the respective actuation surface of each actuation element to actuate the actuation element to a selectively controlled degree, further increasing control. 
     Each actuation element may be biased to an activated position when not engaged with the operator surface, wherein each actuation element assumes an at least partially deactivated position when the operator surface engages with the respective actuation surface of each actuation element. This allows the actuator to set valves to be closed by default, as may be preferable in a liquid handling device. 
     As such, each actuation element may be biased by an actuation element spring element. The actuation element spring elements may be mounted in the actuation element rack. 
     Each actuation surface may be a ramp, wherein an extent of actuation of each actuation element changes as the operator surface moves along the path and selectively engages with the ramp of each actuation element. 
     Each ramp may be configured so that the operator surface is able to engage with the ramp when it moves along the path from one direction only. 
     Each ramp may comprise a backstop, wherein the backstop is configured to prevent the operator surface from disengaging the ramp. As such the backstop may be at or towards a top end of the ramp (i.e. the end opposite the end at which the operator is configured to enter the ramp). A backstop may prevent the operator from accidentally disengaging an actuation element, increasing the reliability of the actuator. 
     The actuator may further comprise an operator support for supporting the operator, the operator support comprising a stopper pin. The operator is configured to rotate about a point on the operator support when the operator surface moves along the path in the one direction (the non-engaging direction) and the operator contacts one of the actuation elements, such that the operator passes the respective actuation element without the operator surface engaging the actuation surface of the respective actuation element. 
     The stopper pin is configured to prevent rotation of the operator when the operator surface moves along the path in the opposite direction (the engaging direction) and contacts an actuation element. 
     This bypass mechanism allows the operator to be moved from one actuation element to another without needing to actuate any intervening actuation elements, greatly improving the functionality of the actuator. 
     The actuator may further comprise a spring element configured to bias the operator against the stopper pin. The spring element may be a spring, such as a torsion spring or any other appropriate spring. A spring recess may be provided in the surface of the operator support for receiving the spring element. A biasing pin may couple the spring element and operator via an operator-spring pin hole in the operator. 
     When the path along which the operator surface is moved is circular, the operator support may be configured to rotate, and a central point of the circular path may coincide with a rotation axis of the operator support. As such, the operator support may be readily driven using a simple driving means, such as a motor, without the need for a complex driving mechanism. 
     In another aspect, an actuator assembly may comprise an actuator as described above and a driving means for driving the operator of the actuator. The actuation elements of the actuator may be arranged linearly, or in a circle, or in any other way. 
     The driving means may be a stepped drive motor, optionally with more than 100 or 1000 positions. The driving means may be operable to selectively drive the operator to selectively position the operator surface on the path to selectively actuate one of the actuation elements. 
     The driving means may be connected to the operator support described above, optionally via gears, such as an input gear and an output gear. At least one of a driving means, an actuation element rack of the actuator, an input gear and an output gear may be mounted to a base plate. When the actuation elements are linearly arranged, the driving means may drive the operator via a rack-and-pinion. 
     In another aspect, a method of operating an actuator as described above may comprise driving the operator to move the operator surface along the path to selectively engage with the respective actuation surface of one of the actuation elements to actuate the actuation element. 
     The method may further comprise selecting one of the plurality of actuation elements; moving the operator surface along the path in one direction (the non-engaging direction) past the selected actuation element; and moving the operator surface along the path in an opposite direction (the engaging direction) to engage with the respective actuation surface of the selected actuation element. 
     This method moves the operator to any of the actuation elements without needing to actuate any of the other actuation elements along the way, greatly improving the functionality of the actuator. 
     In another aspect, a computer program may comprise computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a system, cause the system to perform one or more of the methods described above. 
     In another aspect, a system may comprise the actuator assembly described above and/or a processor configured to execute the computer program described above. 
     The processor controls the driving means of the actuator assembly. The system may further comprise additional components such as a power supply and/or processor-driving means interface in order to control the driving means. 
     The system may be configured to receive a diagnostic device such as a liquid handling device comprising a plurality of valves, wherein the actuator assembly is a valve actuator and the actuation elements of the actuator are for actuating the plurality of valves. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an actuator with a linear array of actuation elements; 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate an actuation element; 
         FIGS.  3 A to  3 C  illustrates an operator and operator support; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an actuator with a circular array of actuation elements; 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  illustrate actuation elements with a backstop; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an actuator assembly; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a flow diagram for a method of operating an actuator; and 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a block diagram for a system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , a first example actuator  100  comprises a plurality of independently operable actuation elements  102   a - 102   c.  The actuator  100  in  FIG.  1    comprises three actuation elements  102   a - 102   c,  but may comprise more or may only comprise two. Each actuation element has an actuation surface  104  as illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . 
     Also illustrated in  FIG.  1    is an operator  106  having an operator surface  108 . The operator  106  is driveable to move the operator surface  108  along a path to selectively engage with the respective actuation surface  104  of each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  to actuate the actuation element. The operator  106  is configured to operate only one actuation element  102   a - 102   c  at any one time. 
     The actuation elements  102   a - 102   c  illustrated in  FIG.  1    are arranged linearly in an actuation element rack  110 . As such, the path along which the operator surface  108  moves is also linear. The operator  106  may be driven backwards and forwards along the linear path using a motor and a rack-and-pinion connected to the operator  106 , or any other suitable means, as would be understood by the skilled person. 
     The actuator  100  illustrated in  FIG.  1    is a valve actuator, meaning the actuation elements  102   a - 102   c  are for actuating a corresponding plurality of valves. For example, a plurality of valves may be pinch valves, and an end effector  112  of each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  may be used to open and close the pinch valves. Such a valve actuator may, for example, be for a system for receiving a liquid handling device comprising the corresponding plurality of valves. However, the actuator  100  is not limited to use as a valve actuator. 
     The actuator  100  is configured such that the operator surface  108  cannot engage with the actuation surfaces  104  of the actuation elements  102   a - 102   c  as the operator surface  108  moves along the path in one direction (non-engaging direction), and such that the operator surface  108  can engage with the actuation surfaces  104  of the actuation elements  102   a - 102   c  as the operator surface  108  moves along the path in the opposite direction (engaging direction). 
     Each actuation surface  104  is a ramp as illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . With reference to  FIG.  1   , as the operator  106  moves from left to right (in the engaging direction), the operator surface  108  eventually engages with a lower end of a ramp. The operator surface  108  is approximately level with the bottom of each ramp. The operator  106  is fixed to the extent that it cannot be moved substantially up or down (i.e. along the axis along which each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  is actuated). Therefore, as the operator  106  continues to move to the right, the respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c  with which the operator surface  108  is engaged is forced down and is depressed. Of course, the ramps can be configured such that the actuation elements  102   a - 102   c  are forced up instead, if preferred. 
     When the operator surface  108  reaches the end of the ramp, it passes over the end of the ramp, releasing or disengaging from the respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c.  The operator surface  108  may then continue to move in the same (engaging) direction until it engages the next actuation element  102   a - 102   c.    
     Each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  is biased by an actuation element spring element  136  configured to return its respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c  to its original (pre-engagement) position after the operator surface  108  disengages the respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c,  although this is not essential. Although illustrated as part of the second example actuator  100  discussed below, it can be understood from  FIGS.  2 A and  6    that for each actuation element  102   a - 102   c,  an actuation element spring element  136  is mounted in the actuation element rack  110  between an actuation element pin  134  and the respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c.  Each actuation element spring element  136  is configured to be biased against (push) its respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c.  Of course, when the ramps are configured such that the actuation elements  102   a - 102   c  are forced up when engaged, each actuation element spring element  136  will be configured to pull on its respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c,  in order to return each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  to its original position when disengaged. 
     As will be understood, an extent of actuation of each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  changes as the operator surface  108  moves along the path and selectively engages with the ramp of each actuation element  102   a - 102   c.    
     However, each ramp is configured so that the operator surface  108  is able to engage with the ramp when it moves along the path in one direction only (the engaging direction). For example, the ramp may approximate a right-angled triangle, wherein the operator surface  108  is positioned below a top end of each ramp. Therefore, with continued reference to  FIG.  1   , as the operator  106  moves from right to left (the non-engaging direction), the operator surface  108  cannot enter the ramp and instead contacts a side wall  114  of one of the actuation elements  102   a - 102   c.  The side wall  114  is concave, as illustrated in  FIG.  2 B , to securely trap the operator surface  108  as it travels from right to left and prevent it from slipping onto the ramp of the respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c,  although it is not necessary for the side wall  114  to be concave. 
     Many ramp shapes and configurations may be used, such as a ramp approximating an isosceles triangle, wherein the actuation elements  102   a - 102   c  are at first depressed and then released as the operator surface  108  moves across the ramp. In this instance, the operator surface  108  may enter the ramp from either direction. 
     The ramp may comprise a backstop  132 , as discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . 
     As explained above and with continued reference to the first example actuator  100  of  FIG.  1    and actuation element  102   a - 102   c  illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , as the operator  106  moves from right to left (in the non-engaging direction), it cannot enter the ramp of an actuation element  102   a - 102   c  and instead contacts a side wall  114  of the actuation element  102   a - 102   c.  Therefore, in order to allow the operator  106  to continue to move from right to left in order to move to a different actuation element  102   a - 102   c  in the non-engaging direction, an actuation element bypass mechanism, illustrated in  FIG.  3   , is provided. 
     With reference to  FIG.  3 A , the operator  106  is connected to an operator support  116 . The operator support  116  comprises a stopper pin  118 , an operator support pin hole  120  and a spring recess  122  in the surface of the operator support  116  for receiving a torsion spring  124 . Spring elements other than a torsion spring, such as a helical spring or any other appropriate spring may be used instead of the torsion spring  124 . The operator support pin hole  120  is located in the spring recess  122 . 
     The above-described operator  106  comprises an operator pin hole  138  and an operator-spring pin hole  126 . 
     The operator  106  is connected to the operator support  116  by a bolt  128  passing through the operator pin hole  138  and into the operator support pin hole  120 . The operator  106  pivots or rotates about the bolt  128 . 
     When the operator support  116 , torsion spring  124 , operator  106  and bolt  128  are assembled, a biasing pin  130  (which is part of the torsion spring  124  and can also be considered a right-angled interfacing feature of the torsion spring  124 ) in the operator-spring pin hole  126  enables the torsion spring  124  to interact with the operator  106  such that the operator  106  is biased towards the stopper pin  118 . Thus, in the absence of any external forces, the operator  106  is biased against the stopper pin  118 , and, with reference to the configuration of the operator  106 , operator support  116  and stopper pin  118  as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the operator  106  cannot rotate about the bolt  128  when a force is applied to the operator surface  108  in a leftward direction. 
     In contrast, when a force is applied to the operator surface  108  in a rightward direction, the torsion spring  124  is compressed and the operator  106  rotates about the bolt  128  in a clockwise direction. 
     Returning to  FIG.  1   , and as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B and  3 C , it can thus be understood that as the operator  106  moves from right to left (in the non-engaging direction), the operator  106  begins to rotate as the operator surface  108  comes into contact with an actuation element  102   a - 102   c.  As the operator  106  continues to move from right to left, rotation of the operator  106  continues, and the operator  106  is able to move past the respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c  in a non-engaging position (or bypass position). Once the operator has moved past the respective actuation element  102   a - 102   c,  the torsion spring  124  returns the operator  106  to its initial position, biased against the stopper pin  118 . 
     Similarly, when the operator support  116  rotates clockwise (engaging direction), as discussed later, the operator  106  is biased against the stopper pin  118 . The operator surface  108  is positioned to engage with the ramp surface  104  of the nearest actuation element  102   a - 102   c.  When the operator support  116  rotates counter clockwise (non-engaging direction), the operator  106  rotates about the bolt  128  to the non-engaging position and is able to move past the actuation elements  102   a - 102   c.    
     Of course, the above-described bypass mechanism is not essential. For example, the actuation surface  104  of each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  may approximate an isosceles triangle, as described above, such that the operator  106  is able to engage each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  irrespective of the direction it is moving in. That is, with this configuration, the operator  106  can always move in either direction and there is no non-engaging direction, although the operator surface  108  must engage all intervening actuation elements  102   a - 102   c  when moving from one actuation element  102   a - 102   c  to another. 
     Alternatively, the path along which the operator surface  108  is driveable may be a closed loop, such as an ellipse or circle or any other closed curve, regular or irregular. That is, as the operator surface  108  continues to move in one direction (the engaging direction), it eventually returns to the same position. Means for moving an operator  106  along a closed loop or irregular track are well known to the skilled person. 
     By virtue of an actuation element pin  134  and actuation element spring element  136  described above, each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  is biased to an activated position when not engaged with the operator surface  108 , and each actuation element  102   a - 102   c  assumes an at least partially deactivated position when the operator surface  108  engages with the respective actuation surface  104  of each actuation element  102   a - 102   c.  An activated position means that the actuation element  102   a - 102   c  is biased such that it actuates or operates an object, such as a valve of a liquid handling device. 
     A second example actuator  100  is illustrated in  FIG.  4   . The actuator  100  comprises eleven independently operable actuation elements  102   a - 102   k  arranged in a circle and mounted in an actuation element rack  110 . As such, the path along which the operator surface  108  moves is circular. The second example actuator  100  is similar to the first example actuator  100  unless stated otherwise. 
     The actuator  100  also comprises an operator  106  with operator surface  108  which may be driven backwards and forwards along the circular path using a motor, or any other suitable means, as would be understood by the skilled person. 
     The operator support  116  of the actuator  100  is rotatable, and may be connected to a motor or other suitable means to rotate the operator  106  and thus drive the operator surface  108  along the circular path. As such, a central point of the circular path coincides with a rotation axis of the operator support  116 . 
     The actuation elements  102   a - 102   k  of the actuator  100  are illustrated in detail in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . In addition to an actuation surface  104  being configured as a ramp, and a concave side wall  114 , each actuation element  102   a - 102   k  comprises a backstop  132  configured to prevent the operator surface  108  from disengaging the actuation surface  104 . That is, the backstop  132  is configured to prevent the operator surface  108  from disengaging the actuation surface  104  as the operator surface  108  moves in one direction (the engaging direction), but not as it moves in the opposite direction (the non-engaging direction). As such, the backstop  132  may be at or towards a top end of the ramp (i.e. the end opposite the end at which the operator surface  106  is configured to enter the ramp). 
     Of course, each actuation element  102   a - 102   k  may not have a backstop  132 , as per the first example actuator  100 . 
     As with the first example actuator  100 , as the operator  106  moves in one direction (the engaging direction, which is clockwise in the case of  FIG.  4   ), it engages the actuation surface  104  of one of the actuation elements  102   a - 102   k,  and depresses the respective actuation element  102   a - 102   k.    
     Owing to the presence of the backstop  132 , after engaging an actuation surface  104  and continuing to move in the same engaging direction, eventually the actuator  106  contacts the backstop  132  and cannot continue moving in the same direction. 
     Therefore, the second example actuator  100  comprises the same bypass mechanism described above for the first example actuator  100  and illustrated in  FIG.  3   . The bypass mechanism allows the operator  106  to move in a direction opposite the direction in which the operator surface  108  is driven to engage one of the actuation elements  102   a - 102   k . That is, the bypass mechanism allows the operator  106  to move in the non-engaging direction. 
     Of course, if the backstop  132  were not present on each of the actuation elements  102   a - 102   k , a bypass mechanism would not be necessary, and the operator surface  108  could me moved to and engage with any of the actuation elements  102   a - 102   k  with only one direction of travel (in the engaging direction), since the path along which the operator surface  108  is driven is a closed loop, as explained above. 
     In some aspects and with reference to  FIG.  6   , an actuator assembly  200  comprises an actuator  100  as described above (the second example actuator with a circular arrangement of actuation elements  102   a - 102   k  is shown) and a driving means  202  for driving the operator  106  of the actuator  100 . 
     The driving means  202  is a stepped drive motor with more than 100 positions, although any other suitable driving means  202  may be used. The driving means  202  is operable to selectively drive the operator  106  to selectively position the operator surface  108  along the path to selectively actuate one of the actuation elements actuation elements  102   a - 102   k.    
     The driving means  202  is connected to the operator support  116  of the actuator  100  via an input gear  206  and an output gear  208 . 
     The driving means  202 , actuation element rack  110  of the actuator  100 , input gear  206  and output gear  208  are mounted to a base plate  204 . 
     As would be understood by the skilled person, the driving means  202  is configured to rotate the input gear  206  and output gear  208  in order to rotate the operator support  116 . 
     Other actuator assemblies  200  are envisaged, such as an actuator assembly  200  comprising the first example actuator  100  with linearly arranged actuation elements  102   a - 102   k . Such an actuator assembly  200  may comprise a driving means  202  configured to drive the operator  106  via a rack-and-pinion. Other arrangements of actuation elements  102   a - 102   k  are also envisaged, with suitably configured driving means  202 . 
     In some aspects and with reference to  FIG.  7   , a method of operating an actuator  100  as described above comprises driving  300  the operator  106  to move the operator surface  108  along the path to selectively engage with the respective actuation surface  104  of one of the actuation elements  102   a - 102   k  to actuate the actuation element  102   a - 102   k.    
     The method may further comprise selecting  302  one of the plurality of actuation elements  102   a - 102   k;  moving  304  the operator surface  108  along the path in one direction (a non-engaging direction) past the selected actuation element  102   a - 102   k;  and then moving  306  the operator surface  108  along the path in the opposite direction (an engaging direction) to engage with the respective actuation surface  104  of the selected actuation element  102   a - 102   k.    
     The described methods may be implemented using computer executable instructions. A computer program product or computer readable medium may comprise or store the computer executable instructions. The computer program product or computer readable medium may comprise a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a CD, a DVD, a cache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g. for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). A computer program may comprise the computer executable instructions. The computer readable medium may be a tangible or non-transitory computer readable medium. The term “computer readable” encompasses “machine readable”. 
     Thus, also disclosed is a computer program comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a system  400 , cause the system  400  to perform any of the methods described above. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a system  400 . The system  400  comprises an actuator assembly  200  as described above and a mechanical device  402  configured to be operated by the actuator assembly  200 . The system  400  further comprises a central bus structure, processor  404 , data processing resources such as memory  406 , actuator controller  408 , display adapter  410 , display device  412 , one or more user-input device adapters  414 , one or more user-input devices  416 , such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, and one or more communications adapters  418 . 
     The mechanical device  402  may, for example, be a liquid handling device comprising a plurality of valves, wherein the actuator assembly  200  is a valve actuator and the actuation elements  102   a - 102   k  of the actuator  100  are configured to actuate the plurality of valves. 
     The processor  404  is configured to execute the computer program which causes the system  400  to perform any of the methods described above. The processor  404  is in communication with memory  406 , which is for storing the computer program. The processor  404  and memory  406  are connected to the central bus structure. 
     The display adapter  410  is connected to the display device  412 , the one or more user-input device adapters  414  are connected to the one or more user-input devices  416 , and the one or more communications adapters  418  provide connections to other computer systems and networks. The actuator controller  408 , display adapter  410 , user-input device adapters  414  and communications adapters  418  connect to the central bus structure. 
     The system  400  may be provided by two or more systems (or subsystems) such as an actuator assembly  200  comprising the actuator  100  and a driving means  202 , or a system  400  for controlling the actuator assembly  200  comprising the mechanical device  402 , processor  404 , memory  406 , actuator controller  408 , display adapter  410 , display device  412 , one or more user-input device adapters  414 , one or more user-input devices  416 , such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, and one or more communications adapters  418 . The latter system  400  can be provided without one or more of the mechanical device  402 , display adapter  410 , display device  412 , user-input device adapters  414 , user-input devices  416  and communications adapters  418 . 
     Embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings and described above are example embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims, including any equivalents as included within the scope of the claims. Various modifications are possible and will be readily apparent to the skilled person in the art. It is intended that any combination of non-mutually exclusive features described herein are within the scope of the present invention. That is, features of the described embodiments can be combined with any appropriate aspect described above and optional features of any one aspect can be combined with any other appropriate aspect.