A valve control method for controlling a closed valve position of an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine includes a feedback correction loop generating a feedback variable by comparing the output of a valve position sensor to a desired closed valve position. The feedback variable is used to control an actuator coupled to the valve which cooperates with a compliant seat. Thus, the desired closed position is maintained in a ready to open state, reducing valve opening delay caused by biasing forces.

Vacuum actuated valves have long been used in the automotive industry for controlling the flow of various gasses, including exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). EGR systems use the valves as a means for allowing exhaust gas from the exhaust manifold to flow into the intake manifold. Thus, the exhaust gas is recirculated through the engine. Controlling EGR flow is typically used as means for meeting regulated emissions and maximizing fuel economy. Poor EGR flow control can have detrimental effects, such as engine misfires, engine speed surging, and lost fuel economy. In particular, valve opening delay is one aspect of EGR control that has a large effect on the system performance. Opening delay is defined as the time from when an engine control system commands the valve to open and allow EGR flow to the time when the valve actually opens to allow flow. Opening delay results from the preload, or biasing force, commonly used to hold the valve shut. In situations where no EGR flow is required, the preload force holds the valve shut so that disturbances do not accidentally open the valve.
Valve control systems are known in which valve position feedback is used to control the amount of EGR flow. By measuring the position of the valve and using a predetermined map between valve position and flow area, an indication of EGR flow can be obtained. Comparing this estimated EGR flow based on a valve position measurement to a desired EGR flow, a feedback signal is created. The feedback signal is then used to control an actuator to maintain the desired EGR flow. When no EGR flow is required, the biasing force is used to hold the valve closed against disturbance forces caused by exhaust pressure pulsations or engine vibration shaking forces that might tend to open the valve. As previously mentioned, it is necessary to keep the valve closed in certain instances because undesired EGR flow can affect emissions, driveability, and fuel economy. Such a system is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,604. In addition, many valve designs, such as those used for EGR, are known which use a soft seat or stop to create a soft landing valve seat, for example, to reduce noise and increase sealing.
The inventors herein have recognized numerous disadvantages with the above approaches. One disadvantage is the presence of an opening delay, which is cause by the biasing force used to prevent disturbance forces from opening the valve when no EGR flow is desired. For an actuator to open the valve and allow EGR flow, the actuator must first create a large enough force to cancel the biasing force. Then, any additional force created by the actuator can be used to open the valve. Because actuators cannot be built to instantaneously create a force, without considerable expense and complexity, there is always a finite time delay between an open command and actual valve opening. The root cause of this opening delay is the presence of the necessary biasing force.


A system, method, and apparatus for media content marking and tracking are disclosed. An example method includes determining an identification code responsive to a request from a third-party client, generating an audio file including the identification code, transmitting the audio file to the third-party client enabling the third-party client to embed the audio file including the identification code into media content, receiving content information associated with the media content from the third-party client, storing the content information in correspondence to a stored copy of the identification code, receiving a message including the identification code from a consumer device that detected the identification code within the media content, determining the identification code corresponds to the content information, transmitting the content information to the consumer device, receiving an event from the consumer device based on the content information, and making data associated with the event graphically available for the third-party client.

Media content such as television programs, movies, radio programs, music services, web programs, and advertisements may sometimes include an embedded identification code (e.g., an audio watermark) to track which consumers viewed and/or heard the content. Oftentimes the identification code includes information identifying the media content (e.g., an Entertainment Identifier Registry ("EIDR") or an Ad-ID). Alternatively, the identification code includes content information that a consumer may use to access a website, participate in a promotion, or receive a coupon. Presently, identification codes are embedded within audio by media content producers or content providers (e.g., distributors, broadcasters, etc.). The identification code is usually modulated within the media content at a frequency that is inaudible by humans. Specialized decoding devices are configured to detect the embedded code and transmit the code to a monitoring entity. The monitoring entity aggregates detected codes and reports this information to the media content producers and/or media content providers.
Currently, the media content producer or content provider is responsible for generating and managing identification codes. However, the monitoring entity is responsible for reporting the detection of identification codes. The separation between the monitoring entity and the content producer/provider may reduce the effectiveness of identification codes or increase the complexity of managing identification codes. For instance, content providers or producers that want to use identification codes generate an identification code and modulate the code into the content. However, not all content providers or producers have an ability or capability of generating identification codes. Moreover, some content providers/producers prefer not having to manage generated identification codes. Further, as standards for identification codes change, the content providers and content producers have to update their systems accordingly.
Additionally, the current framework for generating and detecting identification codes is relatively static. As discussed above, an identification code may include content information for a consumer. A provider of the content information may not easily change the information after the information is embedded within the media content without altering the information within the media content. For instance, a provider may not easily change a hyperlink to a webpage (used by a detection device to access the webpage after detecting the corresponding identification code) after the hyperlink has been embedded within the media content. Additionally, the provider may not easily change how the media content is identified after, for example, an Ad-ID is embedded within the media content. A need accordingly exists for dynamic management and tracking of media content.

Media content marking and tracking methods and apparatus


A device for transmitting mechanical waves, including a mechanical waveguide having an elongated shape and extending between a proximal end and a distal end for propagating the mechanical waves coupled at the proximal end up to the distal end, and a radiopaque marker secured to the mechanical waveguide adjacent to the distal end thereof.

Minimally-invasive medical devices are attractive because they require a small incision to be made to the subject to be treated before insertion of the minimally-invasive medical device. Some minimally-invasive devices use a source of mechanical waves positioned outside the body of the subject and the mechanical waves are carried into the body to the lesion to be treated with a minimally-invasive device. To achieve this, the minimally-invasive device comprises a mechanical waveguide or transmission member to deliver the mechanical waves up to the lesion.
However, it would be beneficial for a user of the minimally-invasive device to be able to visualize the mechanical waveguide, and more particularly the distal end of the mechanical waveguide, while treating the lesion.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved mechanical waveguide to be used in a system for treating lesions.

Mechanical waveguide provided with a marker thereon


A modular surgical patient positioner unit is formed by attaching a plastic linear extension board to a peg board by means of a perforated metal bridging plate. An elongated metal support bar is fastened along one side of the linear extension board for added strength and functionality.

Single and multi-piece patient positioner units in the form of an elongated plastic plate or board, hereafter "peg board", having a plurality of peg holes for receiving patient positioning pegs are currently used to support a patient during surgical procedures.
The peg board is generally co-extensive with the hospital O.R. table and is removably secured to the side rails thereof by means of clamps.
One such modular patient positioner unit is described within U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/097,626 filed Apr. 4, 2005 entitled "Modular Surgical Patient Positioner", which application is incorporated herein for purposes of reference.
When hip surgery is performed on a patient, an extended hip positioner plate, such as a type CJ-001 supplied by Cj Medical Inc. is generally employed to secure the patient in a stable fashion and to eliminate movement when the patient is supine or in the lateral position.
It would be both cost and space savings effective to provide a single patient positioner unit having facility for multiple surgical function including hip and knee surgery with only minor modification to the unit to capture the patient in the supine or in the lateral position.
One purpose of the instant invention is to provide a radiolucent board having a plurality of peg holes for receiving patient positioning pegs, and which includes means for temporary attachment of an elongated plastic plate with side rails to attach accessories.

Surgical patient positioner extension unit


A decontamination apparatus for medical devices includes a decontamination basin (14a, 14b) with a selectively opened and closed cover member (16a, 16b) to provide selective access to the basin (14a, 14b). A mixing chamber assembly (80) selectively dispenses detergent concentrate and decontaminant concentrate into a liquid to form a liquid cleaning solution or a liquid decontaminant solution, respectively. A source of decontaminated rinse liquid, such as a microbe removal filter (54), is in selective fluid communication with the basin (14a, 14b). A source of anti-microbial liquid is in selective fluid communication with the microbe removal filter (54) and rinse liquid flow paths (58) between the microbe removal filter and the basin for decontaminating the filter (54) and the rinse lines (58). Each channel of a medical device (E) being decontaminated is connected to a channel flush line (30) and a channel pump (32) for flushing the channels of the device (E). A pressure sensor (42) is in communication with each flush line (30) to sense a blockage in the channels of the medical device (E). The channel pumps (32) pump liquid or decontaminated air through the device channels. A leak test system is also provided for testing the integrity of an outer sheath of a medical device (E) such as an endoscope.

The present invention relates to the decontamination arts including the sterilization arts. It finds particular application in conjunction with the decontamination of medical devices, especially medical devices such as endoscopes and other devices having channels or lumens that must be decontaminated after use.
Sterilization is typically defined as the absence of all life forms including bacterial endospores which are the living organisms most resistant to known sterilants. Disinfection, by distinction, only connotes the absence of pathogenic life forms. Herein, the general term, decontamination, will be used to describe both disinfection and sterilization.
Endoscopes and similar medical devices having channels or lumens formed therethrough are being used on an ever increasing basis in the performance of medical procedures. The popularity of these devices has led to calls for improvements in the decontamination of these devices between use, both in terms of the speed of the decontamination and the effectiveness of the decontamination. One drawback associated with many known endoscope decontamination devices is their reliance on reusable glutaraldehyde or the like as a liquid decontaminant solution. While glutaraldehyde is generally effective for disinfection, sterilization with glutaraldehyde can take 10 to 12 hours which is too long in today's healthcare facilities. Another drawback to glutaraldehyde systems is that they sterilize without cleaning, i.e., they leave sterile biological waste matter on the medical instruments.
Another drawback associated with many known decontamination devices is their lack of a decontaminated rinse liquid. Many known decontamination devices are concerned only with cleaning and disinfecting the devices and consequently rely on unfiltered "tap" water for rinsing. Even those that filter or otherwise decontaminate the rinse liquid often do not decontaminate the rinse liquid flow paths between the source of rinse liquid and the decontamination basin under the incorrect assumption that these apparently closed rinse liquid flow paths cannot become contaminated. Thus, with these devices, it is possible for microorganisms to be reintroduced onto the medical device from the rinse liquid. One known endoscope sterilizer does provide a sterile rinse and rinse liquid flow path (STERIS SYSTEM 1.RTM., STERIS Corporation, Mentor, Ohio). However, it would be desirable to include additional features in conjunction with the sterile rinse and sterile rinse flow paths of this unit.
Prior medical instrument decontamination devices do not include a simple and effective means for accurately delivering a select charge of both detergent concentrate and decontaminant concentrate as needed to form a cleaning solution and a decontamination solution, respectively. Instead, many prior devices rely upon a large tank to hold a reusable decontaminant such as glutaraldehyde and rely upon tank of detergent that must be refilled. The need to refill these tanks periodically decreases efficiency and also puts an operator in contact with decontaminant and detergent liquid and vapors. Further, glutaraldehyde is an environmentally hazardous material that needs to be chemically deactivated. Disposal or reprocessing of diluted or contaminated glutaraldehyde is inconvenient and costly.
Furthermore, with these systems, it is possible for the detergent tank or the decontaminant tank to run dry without the knowledge of the machine operator. Also, it is not always possible to verify that the detergent or decontaminant has actually been properly and accurately dispensed into the decontamination basin. It would be desirable to provide a decontamination apparatus that simply and accurately dispenses a select dose of detergent concentrate and decontaminant concentrate as needed, without requiring tanks to be refilled and without exposing an operator to detergents and decontaminants. It would also be desirable to provide such a system which reduces the possibility that an incorrect amount of detergent or decontaminant will be dispensed.
The present application is therefore directed to a method and apparatus which overcomes these problems and others while providing better overall decontamination results and efficiency.

Apparatus and method for sterilizing medical devices


A collapsible packer for use in a well includes a deployment assembly, a retraction assembly and a sealing assembly extending between the deployment assembly and the retraction assembly. The deployment assembly may include a spring and a degradable stop configured to offset the force applied by the spring. The degradable stop can be manufactured from a material that dissolves when contacted by fluid in the well. The retraction assembly may by hydraulically or spring energized.

Hydrocarbons are often produced from wells with reciprocating downhole pumps that are driven from the surface by pumping units. A pumping unit is connected to its downhole pump by a rod string. Although several types of pumping units for reciprocating rod strings are known in the art, walking beam style pumps enjoy predominant use due to their simplicity and low maintenance requirements.
In many wells, a high gas-to-liquid ratio ("GLR") may adversely impact efforts to recover liquid hydrocarbons with a beam pumping system. Gas "slugging" occurs when large pockets of gas are expelled from the producing geologic formation over a short period of time. Free gas entering a downhole rod-lift pump can significantly reduce pumping efficiency and reduce running time. System cycling caused by gas can negatively impact the production as well as the longevity of the system.
Many rod pump systems include separators that discharge gas and sand into the annulus of the well. Discharging gas and sand into the annulus generally improves the performance of the downhole pump. Over time, however, the sand accumulates in the annulus around downhole components, particularly in lateral portions of the well. The sand deposits may frustrate efforts to retrieve the downhole pumping components from the well. Packers, plugs and other zone isolation devices are especially vulnerable to sand packing. There is, therefore, a need for an improved packer system that overcomes these and other deficiencies of the prior art.


A gauge for determining the operational viability of a device that requires that a consumable or otherwise erodible material for safe and/or efficient operation reside along or near an inside wall of a cavity, for example, a fuse tube containing an ablative arc-extinguishing material as found in a fused cutout, is provided, which gauge measures whether a sufficient quantity of the material to be consumed remains.

The safe and/or efficient operation of certain devices relies on the presence of materials within the device that are consumed or otherwise lost during use. Generally, the present discussion relates to devices where the consumable materials not fuels, rather they are generally materials that perform functions other than powering the device. Fuse cutouts, such as associated with power lines, are well known examples of such devices. In a fuse cutout, a high voltage arc forms during the process of a circuit disruption, which arc is extinguished by the presence of a consumable, typically ablative, arc-extinguishing material.
In electrical distribution systems, for example, a fuse cutout comprises a combination of a fuse deployed in a fuse holder and a switch, and is typically found in overhead feeder lines to protect distribution systems and transformers from current surges and overloads. If equipped with appropriate mechanisms, cutouts can act as sectionalizers used on each distribution line downstream from autoreclosing circuit breakers. Autoreclosers sense and briefly interrupt fault currents, and then automatically reclose to restore service. Meanwhile, downstream sectionalizers automatically count current interruptions by the recloser. When a sectionalizer detects a preset number of interruptions of fault current (typically 3 or 4) the sectionalizer opens (while unenergized) and remains open, and the recloser restores supply to the other non-fault sections.
A fuse cutout has three major components. The first component is the cutout insulator body, a generally open "C"-shaped frame that supports a fuse holder and a ribbed porcelain or polymer insulator that electrically isolates the conductive portions of the assembly from the support to which the insulator is fastened. The second component is the fuse element, or "fuse link", which is the replaceable portion of the cutout assembly that operates when the electrical current is great enough. The third component is the fuse holder, also called the "fuse tube", which is an insulating tube which contains the replaceable fuse element and ablative arc extinguishing material.
Fuse links and fuse tubes of various configurations and comprising ablative arc-extinguishing materials are known, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,313,100; 4,317,099; 6,922,132; 9,704,674, etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,704,674 discloses a fuse holder for a fuse cutout comprising a short fuse tube section, which fuse holder has an arc-quenching liner, which may comprise bone fiber as commonly deployed in the art, a synthetic liner comprising a cross-linked fiberglass shell overmolded with plastic weathershed, or filament wind/grind/epoxy paint coating, or a filament wind/over mold where the overmolded material is thermal set BMC or thermal plastic having weathering resistive compositional additives. In one embodiment, the liner utilizes epoxy resin for the matrix, with polyester fiber and e-glass fiber as the composite reinforcement materials. In a preferred embodiment, ATH is added to the resin as the main constituent to generate arc quenching gasses. The polyester fiber ablates to expose more ATH through successive operations.
When the fuse element operates ("blows"), the fuse holder breaks the circuit, then drops out of an upper contact and hangs from a hinge on its lower end. The hanging fuse holder provides a visible indication that the fuse has operated and assurance that the circuit is open. An overcurrent caused by a fault in the transformer or customer circuit will cause the fuse to melt, disconnecting the transformer or faulted circuit from the line.
To facilitate disconnection, cutouts are typically mounted about 20 degrees off vertical so that the center of gravity of the fuse holder is displaced and the fuse holder will rotate and fall open under its own weight when the fuse blows. Mechanical tension on the fuse link normally holds an ejector spring in a biased position. When the fuse blows, the released spring pulls the stub of the fuse link out of the fuse holder tube during the fault clearing process. The electric arc is quenched within the fuse holder, limiting duration of the fault event. The cutout can also be opened manually by utility linemen standing on the ground and using a long insulating stick called a "hot stick".
In operation, after the fuse link has blown and the fuse holder drops, a lineman replaces the fuse link and re-deploys the fuse tube in its operating condition. The fuse holder is also equipped with a pull ring that can be engaged by a hook at the end of a fiberglass hot stick operated by a lineworker standing on the ground or from a bucket truck, to manually open the switch.
However, safe reuse of the fuse tube requires the presence of a sufficient amount of arc-extinguishing material. Currently, there is no way to be sure that enough ablative arc-extinguishing material remains. Fault currents vary between faults as does the wear on the tube, and the amount of arc-extinguishing material lost during each interruption is not constant. Thus, simply tracking the number of faults is not a reliable means for determining the lifecycle of the fuse tube.
The ablative arc extinguishing material of a fuse tube resides along the inside wall of the tube in a manner that leaves a channel or bore, bordered by the ablative material, that runs lengthwise through the center of the tube. One end of the channel or bore is tapered or stepped to form a wider, exhaust opening of the tube, which aids in the exhaust of the gasses generated during arc formation and extinction, by preventing gas stagnation in the bore. The ablative material consumed during arc extinction is lost most readily from the wider exhaust end. After repeated circuit interruptions, what remains of the ablative arc-extinguishing material is more likely to be found deeper in in the tube, away from the exhaust end.
Currently there is no way of knowing whether a fuse tube is viable for use in the field after undergoing a number of interruptions. There is a clear need for a simple, reliable means for quickly determining whether a sufficient amount of arc-extinguishing material remains in a fuse tube for safe and effective operation after one or more circuit interruptions.


Anastomotic stents for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, and methods of use thereof. The anastomotic stents of the invention are suitable for use in a variety of anastomosis procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting. One embodiment of the invention comprises a large vessel anastomotic stent for use with large diameter target vessels such as the aorta or its major side branches. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a small vessel anastomotic stent for use on a target vessel which has a small diameter such as a coronary artery. Another aspect of the invention involves applicators for use with the stents of the invention.

This invention generally relates to devices and methods for performing a vascular anastomosis, and more particularly to stents for securing a graft vessel to a target vessel.
Vascular anastomoses, in which two vessels within a patient are surgically joined together to form a continuous channel, are required for a variety of conditions including coronary artery disease, diseases of the great and peripheral vessels, organ transplantation, and trauma. For example, in coronary artery disease (CAD), an occlusion or stenosis in a coronary artery interferes with blood flow to the heart muscle. In order to restore adequate blood flow to the heart, a graft vessel in the form of a prosthesis or harvested artery or vein is used to reroute blood flow around the occlusion. The treatment, known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), can be highly traumatic to the patient""s system.
In conventional CABG a large incision is made in the chest and the sternum is sawed in half to allow access to the heart. In addition, cardiopulmonary bypass, in which the patient""s blood is circulated outside of the body through a heart-lung machine, is used so that the heart can be stopped and the anastomosis performed. In order to minimize the trauma to the patient""s system induced by conventional CABG, less invasive techniques have been developed in which the surgery is performed through. small incisions in the patient""s chest with the aid of visualizing scopes. Less invasive CABG can be performed on a beating or a non-beating heart and thus may avoid the need for cardiopulmonary bypass.
In both conventional and less invasive CABG, the-surgeon has to suture the graft vessel in place between the coronary artery and a blood supplying vein or artery. The suturing procedure is a time consuming, difficult process requiring a high level of surgical skill. In order to perform the suturing procedure, the surgeon must have relatively unobstructed access to the anastomotic site within the patient. As a result, in less invasive approaches which provide only limited access to the patient""s vessels, some of the major coronary vessels cannot be reached adequately, which can result in incomplete revascularization and a resulting negative effect on patient survival. Moreover, certain target vessels, such as heavily calcified coronary vessels, vessels having a very small diameter of less than about 1 mm, and previously bypassed vessels, may make the suturing process difficult or impossible, so that a sutured anastomosis is not possible.
Additionally, a common problem with CABG has been the formation of thrombi and atherosclerotic lesions at and around the grafted artery, which can result in the reoccurrence of ischemia. Moreover, second operations necessitated by the reoccurrence of arterial occlusions are technically more difficult and risky due to the presence of the initial bypass. For example, surgeons have found it difficult to saw the sternum in half during the next operation without damaging the graft vessels from the first bypass which are positioned behind the sternum.
Therefore, it would be a significant advance to provide a sutureless vascular anastomosis in which the graft vessels can be positioned on a variety of locations on target vessels having a variety of different diameters, which is easily performed, and which minimizes thrombosis associated with the anastomosis. The present invention satisfies these and other needs.
The invention is directed to anastomotic stents for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, and methods of use thereof. The anastomotic stents of the invention are suitable for use in a variety of anastomosis procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting. The term xe2x80x9ctarget vesselxe2x80x9d refers to vessels within the patient which are connected to either or both of the upstream and the downstream end of the graft vessel. One embodiment of the invention comprises a large vessel anastomotic stent for use with large diameter target vessels such as the aorta or its major side branches. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a small vessel anastomotic stent for use on a target vessel which has a small diameter such as a coronary artery. Another aspect of the invention involves applicators for use with the stents of the invention. The terms xe2x80x9cdistalxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cproximalxe2x80x9d as used herein refer to positions on the stents or applicators relative to the physician. Thus, the distal end of the stent is further from the physician than is the stent proximal end. The proximal end of an implanted. stent is further from the center of the target vessel lumen than is the stent distal end.
The large vessel anastomotic stents of the invention generally comprise a substantially cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, an open proximal end, an open distal end, a lumen therein, and at least one deformable section which radially expands to form a flange. The stent, with one end of a graft vessel attached thereto, is inserted into an incision in a wall of the target vessel with the deformable section in a first configuration, and the deformable section is radially expanded to a second configuration to deploy the flange. The flange applies an axial force, substantially aligned with the stent longitudinal axis, against the wall of the target vessel. Additionally, the flange is configured to apply a radial force, substantially transverse to the stent longitudinal axis, against the wall of the target vessel, to secure the stent to the target vessel.
In one embodiment of the large vessel stent, the stent has a single deformable section forming a flange, preferably on a distal section of the stent. However, a plurality of deformable sections may be provided on the stent. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the stent has a second deformable section on a proximal section of the stent. With the proximal and distal end flanges deployed, the stent is prevented from shifting proximally out of the target vessel or distally further into the interior of the target vessel.
The large vessel stents of the invention are configured to connect to target vessels of various sizes having a wall thickness of at least about 0.5 mm, and typically about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. In one embodiment of the invention, the large vessel anastomotic stent is configured to longitudinally collapse as the deformable section is radially expanded. The surgeon can control the longitudinal collapse to thereby position the distal end flange at a desired location at least partially within the incision in the target vessel wall. Moreover, in the embodiment having a proximal end flange, the surgeon can control the position of the proximal end flange by longitudinally collapsing the stent to a greater or lesser degree, to thereby position the proximal end flange at a desired location in contact with the target vessel. Thus, regardless of the thickness of the target. vessel wall, the stent can be longitudinally collapsed to position the flanges against the target vessel wall and effectively connect the stent thereto. This feature is significant because the stent must be connected to target vessels which have a wide range of wall thickness. For example, the aortic wall thickness is typically.about 1.4 mm to about 4.0 mm. Therefore, regardless of the thickness of the target vessel wall, the degree of deployment of the proximal end flange, and thus the longitudinal collapse of the stent, can be controlled by the physician to thereby effectively connect the stent to the target vessel. For example, the surgeon may choose between partially deploying the proximal end flange so that it is positioned against an outer surface of the target vessel wall, or fully deploying the flange to position it in contact with the media of the target vessel wall within the incision in the target vessel wall.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the graft vessel is attached to the stent before insertion into the patient by placing the graft vessel within the lumen of the stent, and everting the end of the graft vessel out the stent distal end and about at least the distal deformable section. In a presently preferred embodiment, the graft vessel is everted about at least the section which contacts the media of the target vessel wall proximal to the distal deformable section, to facilitate sealing at the anastomosis site.
In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the deformable section on the large vessel stent comprises a plurality of helical members interconnected and disposed circumferentially around the stent. By rotating the distal end and the proximal end of the stent relative to one another, the helical members radially expand and the stent longitudinally collapses to form the flange. In a presently preferred embodiment, the distal flange is configured to deploy before the proximal end flange.
Another aspect of the invention comprises the applicators designed for introducing and securing the large vessel anastomotic stents of the invention to the target vessel. One such applicator is configured to apply torque and axial compressive load to the large vessel stent, to thereby radially expand the deformable section which forms the flange. The applicator of the invention may be provided with a sharp distal end, to form an incision in the target vessel wall through which the stent is inserted or to otherwise facilitate insertion of the stent into the target vessel wall. Another embodiment of the applicator of the invention includes a catheter member having one or more inflatable members designed to expand the incision in the target vessel and introduce the large vessel stent therein.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises small vessel anastomotic stents for use on small target vessels such as coronary arteries. The small vessel stents generally comprise an outer flange configured to be positioned adjacent an outer surface of the target vessel, and an inner flange configured to be positioned against an inner surface of the target vessel and connected to the outer flange. The outer and inner flanges generally comprise a body defining an opening, with one end of the graft vessel secured to the outer flange.
The small vessel anastomotic stents of the invention are used on small target vessels having a wall thickness of less than about 1.0 mm, and typically about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. For example, small target vessels include coronary arteries. Despite the small size of the target vessels, the small vessel stents of the invention provide sutureless connection without significantly occluding the small inner lumen of the target vessel or impeding the blood flow therethrough.
In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the graft vessel is received into the opening in the outer flange and everted around the body of the outer flange to connect to the outer flange. In another embodiment, as for example when the graft vessel is a mammary artery, the graft vessel is connected to the outer flange by connecting members such-at sutures, clips, hooks, and the like.
The outer flange, with the graft vessel connected thereto, is loosely connected to the inner flange before insertion into the patient. The space between the loosely connected inner and outer flanges is at least as great as the wall thickness of the target vessel so that the inner flange can be inserted through an incision in the target vessel and into the target vessel lumen, with the outer flange outside the target vessel. With the outer and inner flanges in place on either side of a wall of the target vessel, tightening the flanges together compresses a surface of the graft vessel against the outer surface of the target vessel. This configuration forms a continuous channel between the graft vessel and the target vessel, without the need to suture the graft vessel to the target vessel wall and preferably without the use of hooks or barbs which puncture the target vessel.
In one embodiment of the invention, the inner flange is introduced into the target vessel in a folded configuration and thereafter unfolded into an expanded configuration inside the target vessel. The folded configuration reduces the size of the inner flange so that the size of the incision in the target vessel wall can be minimized. Folding the flange minimizes trauma to the target vessel and restenosis, and facilitates sealing between the graft and target vessel at the anastomotic site.
In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner and outer flanges are connected together by prongs on one member configured to extend through the body of the other member. However, the inner and outer flanges may be connected together by a variety of different types of connecting members such as sutures, hooks, clips, and the like. In a presently preferred embodiment, the flange members are connected together by prongs on the inner member configured to extend through the incision in the target vessel wall, without puncturing the wall of the target vessel, and through prong receiving openings in the body of the outer flange. The prong receiving openings in the outer flange may be configured to allow for the forward movement of the prong through the,opening to bring the inner and outer flanges together, but prevent the backward movement of the prong out of the opening, so that the inner and outer flanges remain substantially compressed together to seal the anastomotic site.
Another aspect of the invention comprises a small vessel stent applicator which facilitates introduction of the inner flange into the target vessel lumen, and connection of the inner flange to the outer flange around the target vessel. In one embodiment of the small vessel stent applicator, the applicator folds the inner flange into the folded configuration for introduction into the lumen of the target vessel.
Anastomotic systems of the invention may comprise combinations of the large and small vessel stents of the invention, for connecting one or both ends of a graft vessel to target vessels. Typically, in a coronary bypass using the anastomotic system of the invention, a large vessel stent connects the proximal end of the graft vessel to the aorta, and a small vessel stent connects the distal end of the graft vessel to an occluded coronary artery. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various combinations and uses of the anastomotic stents of the invention may be used. For example, in patients with an extreme arteriosclerotic lesion in the aorta, which may result in serious complications during surgical procedures on the aorta, the anastomotic stents of the invention allow the surgeon to avoid this region and connect the proximal end of the graft vessel to any other adjacent less diseased vessel, such as the arteries leading to the arms or head.
The large and small vessel stents of the invention are provided in a range of sizes for use on various sized graft vessels. Thus, the anastomotic stents of the invention can be used with venous grafts, such as a harvested saphenous vein graft, arterial grafts, such as a dissected mammary artery, or a synthetic prosthesis, as required.
Connection of the large vessel stent does not require the stoppage of blood flow in the target vessel. Moreover, the anastomotic stents of the invention can be connected to the target vessel without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Additionally, the surgeon does not need significant room inside the patient to connect the anastomotic stents of the invention to the target vessel. For, example, unlike sutured anastomoses which require significant access to the aorta for the surgeon to suture the graft vessel thereto, the anastomotic stents of the invention allow the proximal end of the graft vessel to be connected to any part of the aorta. All parts of the aorta are accessible to the large vessel stents of the invention, even when minimally invasive procedures are used. Consequently, the graft vessel may be connected to the descending aorta, so that the graft vessel would not be threatened by damage during a conventional sternotomy if a second operation is required at a later time.
The anastomotic stents of the invention provide a sutureless connection between a graft and a target vessel, while minimizing thrombosis or restenosis associated with the anastomosis. The anastomotic stents can be attached to the target vessel inside a patient remotely from outside the patient using specially designed applicators, so that the stents are particularly suitable for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures where access to the anastomosis site is limited. The stents of the invention allow the anastomosis to be performed very rapidly, with high reproducibility and reliability, and with or without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Method and system for attaching a graft to a blood vessel


Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) DNA sequences from the ribosomal RNA gene region are described for different strains of the wheat fungal pathogen, Rhizoctonia cerealis. Specific primers from within these sequences are identified as being useful for the identification of Rhizoctonia cerealis using PCR-based techniques.

The present invention relates to the use of species-specific primers in polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Rhizoctonia cerealis, a fungal pathogen of wheat. The use of these primers enables the monitoring of disease development in plant populations.
Diseases in plants cause considerable crop loss from year to year resulting both in economic deprivation to farmers and, in many parts of the world, to shortfalls in the nutritional provision for local populations. The widespread use of fungicides has provided considerable security against plant pathogen attack. However, despite 1 billion worth of expenditure on fungicides, worldwide crop losses amounted to approximately 10% of crop value in 1981 (James, 1981; Seed Sci. and Technol. 9: 679-685).
The severity of the destructive process of disease depends on the aggressiveness of the pathogen and the response of the host. One aim of most plant breeding programs is to increase the resistance of host plants to disease. Typically, different races of pathogens interact with different varieties of the same crop species differentially, and many sources of host resistance only protect against specific pathogen races. Furthermore, some pathogen races show early signs of disease symptoms, but cause little damage to the crop. Jones and Clifford (1983; Cereal Diseases, John Wiley) report that virulent forms of the pathogen are expected to emerge in the pathogen population in response to the introduction of resistance into host cultivars and that it is therefore necessary to monitor pathogen populations. In addition, there are several documented cases of the evolution of fungal strains that are resistant to particular fungicides. As early as 1981, Fletcher and Wolfe (1981; Proc. 1981 Brit. Crop Prot. Conf.) contended that 24% of the powdery mildew populations from spring barley and 53% from winter barley showed considerable variation in response to the fungicide triadimenol and that the distribution of these populations varied between varieties, with the most susceptible variety also giving the highest incidence of less susceptible types. Similar variation in the sensitivity of fungi to fungicides has been documented for wheat mildew (also to triadimenol), Botrytis (to benomyl), Pyrenophora (to organomercury), Pseudocercosporella (to MBC-type fungicides) and Mycosphaerella fijiensis to triazoles to mention just a few (Jones and Clifford; Cereal Diseases, John Wiley, 1983).
Wheat is currently the most important agricultural commodity in international markets and occupies about 20% of the world""s farmed land (1977; Compendium of Wheat Diseases, Amer. Phytopath. Soc. page 1). Eightly percent of the world""s supply of wheat is grown in North America, Europe, China, and the Soviet Union. Approximately 20% of the worldwide production of wheat is lost to disease annually.
Sharp eyespot is caused by Rhizoctonia cerealis van der Hoeven (teleomorph Ceratobasidium cereale Murray and Burpee) and occurs on wheat, barley, oat and rye (1977; Compendium of Wheat Diseases, Amer. Phytopath. Soc. Page 50). Some isolates of the pathogen are also capable of infecting turfgrass causing yellow patch. Severe wheat infections cause premature ripening and lodging, thereby effecting yield. There are presently no known sharp eyespot-resistant cultivars.
In view of the above, there is a real need for the development of technology that will allow the identification of specific fungal pathogens early in the infection process. By identifying the specific pathogen before disease symptoms become evident in the crop stand, the agriculturist can assess the likely effects of further development of the pathogen in the crop variety in which it has been identified and can choose an appropriate fungicide if such application is deemed necessary.
The present invention is drawn to methods of identification of different pathotypes of plant pathogenic fungi. The invention provides Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) DNA sequences that show variability between different fungal pathotypes. Such DNA sequences are useful in the method of the invention as they can be used to derive primers for use in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assays. These primers generate unique fragments in PCR reactions in which the DNA template is provided by specific fungal pathotypes and can thus be used to identify the presence or absence of specific pathotypes in host plant material before the onset of disease symptoms.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides ITS1 and ITS2 DNA sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NO:17-26) for the pathogen Rhizoctonia cerealis. In another preferred embodiment, the invention provides ITS-derived diagnostic primers (e.g., SEQ ID NO:7-16) for the detection of Rhizoctonia cerealis.
This invention provides the possibility of assessing potential damage in a specific crop variety-pathogen strain relationship and of utilizing judiciously the diverse armory of fungicides that is available. Furthermore, the invention can be used to provide detailed information on the development and spread of specific pathogen races over extended geographical areas. The invention provides a method of detection that is especially suitable for diseases with a long latent phase.
Kits useful in the practice of the invention are also provided. The kits find particular use in the identification of the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia cerealis.
SEQ ID NO:1 Oligonucleotide Primer ITS 1.
SEQ ID NO:2 Oligonucleotide Primer ITS2.
SEQ ID NO:3 Oligonucleotide Primer ITS3.
SEQ ID NO:4 Oligonucleotide Primer ITS4.
SEQ ID NO:5 M13 Universal-20 Primer.
SEQ ID NO:6 Reverse Primer used in Example 2.
SEQ ID NO:7 Oligonucleotide Primer JB643.
SEQ ID NO:8 Oligonucleotide Primer JB644.
SEQ ID NO:9 Oligonucleotide Primer JB645.
SEQ ID NO:10 Oligonucleotide Primer JB646.
SEQ ID NO:11 Oligonucleotide Primer JB647.
SEQ ID NO:12 Oligonucleotide Primer JB648.
SEQ ID NO:13 Oligonucleotide Primer JB649.
SEQ ID NO:14 Oligonucleotide Primer JB650.
SEQ ID NO:15 Oligonucleotide Primer JB687.
SEQ ID NO:16 Oligonucleotide Primer JB688.
SEQ ID NO:17 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate 44235, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (nucleotides 31-242), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 244-395), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 397-630), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 631-687).
SEQ ID NO:18 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate AGDC57, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (nucleotides 31-242), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 243-395), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 396-629), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 630-686).
SEQ ID NO:19 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate CAG1BN1, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (nucleotides 31-243), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 244-396), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 397-630), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 631-687).
SEQ ID NO:20 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate AGDC73, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (nucleotides 31-241), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 242-394), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 395-628), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 629-685).
SEQ ID NO:21 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate 52182, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (nucleotides 31-243), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 244-396), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 397-630), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 631-687).
SEQ ID NO:22 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate Bn505, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer I (nucleotides 31-243), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 244-396), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 397-630), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 631-686).
SEQ ID NO:23 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate R88-303, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (nucleotides 31-243), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 244-396), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 397-630), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 631-687).
SEQ ID NO:24 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate 52184, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (nucleotides 31-240), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 241-393), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 394-627), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 628-684).
SEQ ID NO:25 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate 62063, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer I (nucleotides 31-242), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 243-395), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 396-629), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 630-686).
SEQ ID NO:26 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from R. cerealis isolate 52183, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-30), Internal Transcribed Spacer I (nucleotides 31-242), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 243-395), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 396-629), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 630-686).
SEQ ID NO:27 GenBank sequence (accession #AF063019) listing of DNA sequence of the ITS region from R. cerealis, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 1-29), Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (nucleotides 30-241), 5.8S rRNA gene (nucleotides 242-394), Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (nucleotides 395-628), and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene (nucleotides 629-685).
SEQ ID NO:28 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from P. herpotrichoides isolate R1, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 1, 5.8S rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 2, and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene.
SEQ ID NO:29 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from S. nodorum isolate 24425, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 1, 5.8S rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 2, and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene.
SEQ ID NO:30 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from S. tritici isolate 26517, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 1, 5.8S rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 2, and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene.
SEQ ID NO:31 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from P. tritici-repentis isolate 6715, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 1, 5.8S rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 2, and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene.
SEQ ID NO:32 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from F. culmorum isolate 62215, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 1, 5.8S rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 2, and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene.
SEQ ID NO:33 DNA sequence of the ITS region PCR-amplified from M. nivale isolate 520, comprising in the 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 direction: 3xe2x80x2 end of the small subunit rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 1, 5.8S rRNA gene, Internal Transcribed Spacer 2, and 5xe2x80x2 end of the large subunit rRNA gene.
The present invention provides unique DNA sequences that are useful in identifying different pathotypes of plant pathogenic fungi. Particularly, the DNA sequences can be used as primers in PCR-based analysis for the identification of fungal pathotypes. The DNA sequences of the invention include the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene regions of particular fungal pathogens as well as primers derived from these regions that are capable of identifying the particular pathogen. These ITS DNA sequences from different pathotypes within a pathogen species or genus, which vary between the different members of the species or genus, can be used to identify those specific members.
Biomedical researchers have used PCR-based techniques for some time and with moderate success to detect pathogens in infected animal tissues. Only recently, however, has this technique been applied to detect plant pathogens. The presence of Gaumannomyces graminis in infected wheat has been detected using PCR of sequences specific to the pathogen mitochondrial genome (Schlesser et al., 1991; Applied and Environ. Microbiol. 57: 553-556), and random amplified polymorphic DNA (i.e. RAPD) markers were able to distinguish numerous races of Gremmeniella abietina, the causal agent of scleroderris canker in conifers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,238 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describes primers derived from the ITS sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene region of strains of Septoria, Pseudocercosporella, and Mycosphaerella and their use in the identification of these fungal isolates using PCR-based techniques. In addition, WO 95/29260 (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) describes primers derived from the ITS sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene region of strains of Fusarium and their use in the identification of these fungal isolates using PCR-based techniques. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,997 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describes primers derived from the ITS sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene region of strains of Cercospora, Helminthosporium, Kabatiella, and Puccinia and their use in the identification of these fungal isolates using PCR-based techniques.
Ribosomal genes are suitable for use as molecular probe targets because of their high copy number. Despite the high conservation between mature rRNA sequences, the non-transcribed and transcribed spacer sequences are usually poorly conserved and are thus suitable as target sequences for the detection of recent evolutionary divergence. Fungal rRNA genes are organized in units, each of which encodes three mature subunits of 18S (small subunit), 5.8S, and 28S (large subunit). These subunits are separated by two Internal Transcribed Spacers, ITS1 and ITS2, of around 300 bp (White et al., 1990; In: PCR Protocols; Eds.: Innes et al.; pages 315-322). In addition, the transcriptional units are separated by non-transcribed spacer sequences (NTSs). The ITS and NTS sequences are particularly suitable for the detection of specific pathotypes of different fungal pathogens.
The DNA sequences of the invention are from the Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene region of different plant pathogens. The ITS DNA sequences from different pathotypes within a pathogen species or genus vary among the different members of the species or genus. Once having determined the ITS sequences of a pathogen, these sequences can be aligned with other ITS sequences. In this manner, primers can be derived from the ITS sequences. That is, primers can be designed based on regions within the ITS sequences that contain the greatest differences in sequence among the fungal pathotypes. These sequences and primers based on these sequences can be used to identify specific pathogens.
Particular DNA sequences of interest include ITS DNA sequences from Rhizoctonia cerealis. Such ITS DNA sequences are disclosed in SEQ ID NOs: 17-26. Sequences of representative oligonucleotide primers derived from these ITS sequences are disclosed in SEQ ID NOs: 7-16. The sequences find use in the PCR-based identification of the pathogen of interest.
Methods for the use of the primer sequences of the invention in PCR analysis are well known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202, as well as Schlesser et al. (1991) Applied and Environ. Microbiol. 57:553-556. See also, Nazar et al. (1991; Physiol. and Molec. Plant Pathol. 39: 1-11), which used PCR amplification to exploit differences in the ITS regions of Verticillium albo-atrum and Verticillium dahliae and therefore distinguish between the two species; and Johanson and Jeger (1993; Mycol. Res. 97: 670-674), who used similar techniques to distinguish the banana pathogens Mycosphaerella fijiensis and Mycospharella musicola.
The ITS DNA sequences of the invention can be cloned from fungal pathogens by methods known in the art. In general, the methods for the isolation of DNA from fungal isolates are known. See, Raeder and Broda (1985) Letters in Applied Microbiology 2:17-20; Lee et al. (1990) Fungal Genetics Newsletter 35:23-24; and Lee and Taylor (1990) In: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, Innes et al. (Eds.); pages 282-287.
Alternatively, the ITS sequences of interest can be determined by PCR amplification. In an exemplified embodiment, primers to amplify the entire ITS region are designed according to White et al. (1990; In: PCR Protocols; Eds.: Innes et al. pages 315-322), and the amplified ITS sequence are subcloned into the pCR2.1 cloning vector. The subcloned sequence include the left hand ITS (ITS 1), the right hand ITS (ITS2), as well as the centrally located 5.8S rRNA gene. This is undertaken for several isolates of Rhizoctonia cerealis.
The determined ITS sequences are compared within each pathogen group to locate divergences that might be useful to test in PCR to distinguish the different species and/or strains. Exemplary determined ITS DNA sequences are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 17-26. A comparative alignment is made of these ITS DNA sequences. From the identification of divergences, numerous primers are synthesized and tested in PCR-amplification. Templates used for PCR-amplification testing are firstly purified pathogen DNA, and subsequently DNA isolated from infected host plant tissue. Thus, it is possible to identify pairs of primers that are diagnostic, i.e. that identify one particular pathogen species or strain but not another species or strain of the same pathogen.
Preferred primer combinations are able to distinguish between the different species or strains in infected host tissue, i.e. host tissue that has previously been infected with a specific pathogen species or strain. This invention provides numerous primer combinations that fulfill this criterion for detection of Rhizoctonia cerealis. The primers of the invention are designed based on sequence differences among the fungal ITS regions. A minimum of one base pair difference between sequences can permit design of a discriminatory primer. Primers designed to a specific fungal DNA""s ITS region can be used in combination with a primer made to a conserved sequence region within the ribosomal DNA""s coding region to amplify species-specific PCR fragments. In general, primers should have a theoretical melting temperature between about 60 to about 70 degree xc2x0 C. to achieve good sensitivity and should be void of significant secondary structure and 3xe2x80x2 overlaps between primer combinations. Primers generally have 100% sequence identity with at least about 5-10 contiguous nucleotide bases of ITS 1 or ITS2. In preferred embodiments, primers are anywhere from approximately 5-30 nucleotide bases long.
The present invention lends itself readily to the preparation of xe2x80x9ckitsxe2x80x9d containing the elements necessary to carry out the process. Such a kit may comprise a carrier being compartmentalized to receive in close confinement therein one or more container, such as tubes or vials. One of the containers may contain unlabeled or detectably labeled DNA primers. The labeled DNA primers may be present in lyophilized form or in an appropriate buffer as necessary. One or more containers may contain one or more enzymes or reagents to be utilized in PCR reactions. These enzymes may be present by themselves or in admixtures, in lyophilized form or in appropriate buffers.
Finally, the kit may contain all of the additional elements necessary to carry out the technique of the invention, such as buffers, extraction reagents, enzymes, pipettes, plates, nucleic acids, nucleoside triphosphates, filter paper, gel materials, transfer materials, autoradiography supplies, and the like.
The examples below show typical experimental protocols that can be used in the isolation of ITS sequences, the selection of suitable primer sequences, the testing of primers for selective and diagnostic efficacy, and the use of such primers for disease and fungal isolate detection. Such examples are provided by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

PCR-based detection of Rhizoctonia cerealis


A pilot signal detection system uses a band reject filter to reject the frequency band of at least one carrier signal to improve pilot signal detection. For example, in a feed forward distortion reduction system, the carrier signal(s) is on a main signal path along with a pilot signal which is injected into the main signal path at a frequency adjacent to the frequency band of the carrier signal(s). The carrier signal(s) and the pilot signal are amplified on the main signal path, resulting in distortion on the main signal path. To reduce the distortion from the main signal path, the feed forward distortion reduction system detects and reduces the pilot signal. To improve detection of the pilot signal, the pilot signal detection system provides a signal representative of the carrier signal(s) and the pilot signal with distortion from the main signal path onto a pilot detection path. A band reject filter on the pilot detection path rejects the frequency band of the carrier signal(s) while allowing the frequency of the pilot signal to pass through to pilot detect circuitry. Without the presence of the carrier signal(s), the pilot detect circuitry can more accurately detect the pilot signal on the pilot detection path. In response to the detected pilot signal, the pilot detect circuitry can provide control signal(s) to improve the reduction of the pilot signal by changing the relative phase and/or gain between the signals on the main signal path and the feed forward path. Thus, by improving the detection of the pilot signal, the pilot detection system improves the reduction of the pilot signal and thereby of the distortion.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to amplifiers and, more particularly, to a feed forward distortion reduction system using a band reject filter.
2. Description of Related Art
Amplifiers often add undesired distortion to a signal, creating an output signal comprising distortion or nonlinear components and the signal component. The distortion includes any undesired signals added to or affecting adversely the input signal. There is therefore a need to devise techniques that can eliminate substantially or reduce significantly the distortion produced by the amplifier.
Feed-forward correction is routinely deployed in modern amplifiers to improve amplifier linearity with various input patterns. The essence of the feed-forward correction is to manipulate distortion, such as intermodulation (IMD) components, created by the amplifier so that at the final summing point, the distortion cancels out. Due to the unpredictability of input RF carrier pattern as well as the resultant distortion location, a known frequency component, i.e. a pilot signal, is injected in the main signal path with the distortion produced by the amplification process. In feed-forward amplifiers, the feed forward distortion reduction circuitry minimizes the pilot signal along with the distortion. As such, by designing the feed forward distortion reduction circuitry to detect and cancel the pilot signal, the distortion can also be removed.
The pilot signal is an electrical signal comprising at least one frequency component spectrally located near the frequency band of operation of the electrical circuit. A more complete description of the pilot signal is shown in FIG. 1 which shows the frequency response of a radio frequency (RF) amplifier including the location of the pilot signal. The pilot signal can be near the lower edge of the operating band (e.g., pilot 1) and/or located near the upper edge of the band of operation (e.g., pilot 2). The pilot is positioned a spectral distance of .DELTA. .function. from an edge of the band of operation whose center frequency is .function..sub.0. The electrical characteristics (e.g., amplitude, phase response, spectral content) of the pilot signal are known. It should be noted that although the pilot signal is shown as having one or two spectral components of a certain amplitude, the pilot signal can comprise a plurality of spectral components having various amplitudes.
The feed forward distortion reduction circuitry reduces distortion produced by the RF amplifier by applying the pilot signal to the RF amplifier and making adjustments based on information obtained from the applied pilot signal. FIG. 2 discloses feed-forward correction circuitry 10 and its use of information obtained from the pilot signal to reduce distortion produced by RF amplifier 12. An input signal, for example including at least one carrier signal, is applied to a splitter 14. The splitter 14 replicates the input signal on a main signal path 16 and a feed forward path 18. The splitter 14 is part of a feed forward loop referred to as loop #1, which in addition to the splitter 14, comprises gain & phase circuit 20, coupler 22, the RF amplifier 12, delay circuit 24 and couplers 26 and 28. The signal on the main path 16 is applied to gain & phase circuit 20. The output of gain & phase circuit 20 and the pilot signal are applied to the coupler 22. Typically, the amplitude of the pilot signal is much less (e.g., 30 dB less) than the amplitude of the input signal so as not to interfere with the operation of the amplifier 12. The output of coupler 22 is applied to the amplifier 12 whose output comprises the amplified input signal, the amplified pilot signal and distortion signals produced by the amplifier 12. A portion of the output of the amplifier 12 is obtained from the coupler 26 and is combined at the coupler 28 via coupling path 30 with a delayed version of the input signal on the feed forward path 18 to isolate the pilot signal with distortion on the feed forward path 18. The input signal on the feed forward path 18 is sufficiently delayed by delay circuit 24 so that such signal experiences the same delay as the signal appearing at the coupler 28 via the path 30.
The gain & phase circuit 20 is controlled via control path 32 with control signals to adjust the gain and/or phase of the signal such that the signal appearing at the coupler 28 via the path 30 is substantially the inverse (equal in amplitude but 180.degree. out of phase) of the delayed input signal at the coupler 28. The control signal(s) appearing on the control path 32 of the gain & phase circuit 20 is derived from the signal at the output of the coupler 28 in a well known manner using a detection circuit 33. The detection circuit 33 can include a log detector connected to a nulling circuit. As such, the amplitude of the input signal, such as a carrier signal, is detected, and the nulling circuit attempts to reduce the amplitude of the carrier signal by providing the control signals on the control path 32. Alternative detection circuits can detect well known electrical signal characteristics such as amplitude, phase, and/or frequency of the signal. The input signals applied to the coupler 28 substantially cancel each other leaving at the output of the coupler 28 the pilot signal with distortion produced by the amplifier 12. Loop #1 is thus a feed forward loop which serves to isolate on the feed forward path 18 the pilot signal with distortion produced by the amplifier 12.
The pilot signal with distortion at the output of the coupler 28 is fed to gain & phase circuit 34 whose output is fed to amplifier 36 whose output is applied to coupler 38. A portion of the signals on the main signal path 16 (carrier signal(s), pilot signal with distortion) after the amplifier 12 is fed to a delay circuit 40 whose output is fed to the coupler 38. The delay circuit 40 is designed such that signals from the output of the amplifier 12 applied to the coupler 38 experience substantially the same delay as the signals from the output of the amplifier 36 applied to the coupler 38.
Because the frequency, amplitude and other electrical characteristics of the pilot signal are known, pilot detect circuitry 42 can use detection circuits such as a log detector (or other well known detection circuits) to detect the amplitude of the pilot signal or a portion of the pilot signal via coupler 44 and a nulling circuit to reduce the amplitude of the pilot signal by providing control signals to the phase and gain circuit 34. In general, the detection circuitry 42 will detect the pilot signal and use this information to generate control signals onto path 46 to cause the gain & phase circuit 34 to modify the pilot signal on the feed forward path 18 such that the pilot signal on the main path 16 is substantially the inverse (equal in amplitude but 180.degree. out of phase) of the pilot signal on the feed forward path 18 at the coupler 38. The corresponding pilot signals and distortion substantially cancel each other at the coupler 38 leaving the carrier signal(s) at the output of the system. Therefore, loop #2, which comprises the coupler 26, the coupler 28, the gain & phase circuit 34, the amplifier 36, the coupler 38 and the delay circuit 40 is a feed forward loop which attempts to cancel the pilot signal to cancel substantially the distortion produced by the amplifier 12.
In actual systems, however, there is rarely an absolute cancellation of the distortion and the pilot signals. This is at least partially explained by the difficulty in detecting the pilot signal after cancellation. The amplitude of the pilot signal is typically relatively small at the output of the feed forward distortion reduction system because of the cancellation of the pilot and the relative amplitude of the pilot signal with respect to the amplitude of the in-band carrier signal(s). Thus, a need exists for pilot detection systems to improve the detection of the pilot signal. With improved pilot signal detection, improved reduction of the pilot signal can be achieved, resulting in improved distortion reduction.

Pilot signal detection system using band reject filter


An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example.

The light generated by existing light-emitting diode (LED) illuminators is quite poor. Current illuminators of this kind use reflecting optical elements or singlet or multiple lenses with reflecting optical elements. An example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,993 entitled "Surgical Headlight." Although this design discloses an achromatic lens, the light delivered to it from an optical fiber is reflected off of a mirror. As such, this and other existing configurations exhibit poor light uniformity and/or unacceptable color separation at the edge of beam.

LED illuminator with improved beam quality


The present invention relates in particular, but not limited to, a wind turbine hydraulic brake calliper. The brake calliper comprising a cylinder bore, a piston having a piston head and a piston skirt. The piston being received in the cylinder bore in an orientation where the piston head faces towards the brake pad. The calliper comprising a fluid connection connected to or connectable to a source of hydraulic fluid for leading hydraulic fluid into the void of the cylinder bore below the piston head (1b), so as to move the piston. The piston is formed at least partly and preferably solely from a polymeric material or from polymeric materials.

Hydraulic brakes as dealt with herein are today produced with a piston made from metal. The piston is slidably yet sealingly received in a cylinder bore provided in a calliper. The piston acts due to its movement on a brake pad which increases the friction between a brake disc and the brake pad. As the movement of the piston and pressure asserted on the brake pad from the piston are provided by the pressurised hydraulic fluid in the void below the piston in the cylinder in which the piston is arranged, a sealing must be provided between the skirt of the piston and the cylinder wall. Such a sealing is made from a flexible sealing, typically made from a polymeric material, arranged in a groove in the cylinder wall, which sealing fills the clearance provided between the piston skirt and the cylinder wall.
While this has proven to be a workable solution in systems where the piston is activated—that is moved by the hydraulic fluid relatively to the cylinder wall—on a regular basis in vehicle brakes, it has been found that in wind turbine applications, where the brake not necessarily is activated regularly, that there is a risk of the movement of the piston becomes hindered due to corrosion of the piston and the cylinder wall, as well as less effective during longer standstill.
Furthermore, the movement of the piston in the cylinder bore results in friction deteriorating the sealing, the piston itself and the cylinder bore. Such wear often results in leaks hampering the braking effect obtainable.
In addition, the known brake callipers require delicate machining such as grinding, polishing, honing etc. to obtain suitable friction characteristics and fitting between the calliper and piston.
An often devastating problem with the known callipers is that the piston may be wedged in the cylinder bore so that no movement of the piston—and thereby no brake effect—can be obtained.
Furthermore, the mass of the known callipers is often high due to the strength requirement and the metal compositions used for the parts which often are disadvantageous.
Hence, an improved brake calliper for a wind turbine application would be advantageous, and in particular a more efficient and/or reliable brake for a wind turbine would be advantageous.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.
In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a wind turbine 20 hydraulic brake calliper, a wind turbine hydraulic brake system and a wind turbine with a hydraulic brake calliper and/or system that solves the abovementioned problems of the prior art.


Processes for producing intermediate materials used for perfumery, specifically, epimerized cyclohexenyl ketones, are disclosed. Processes for employing the epimerising reaction in an Aldol condensation reaction are also disclosed.

In the perfumery art, there is a considerable need for fragrant materials having fruity or flowery notes. Representative fragrant materials having fruity floral notes are such as δ-, α- and β-damascone. These damascone isomers have their own odor notes, respectively, while they have a fruity floral note basically. They are used differently according to their application purposes.
Damascones have three double-bond-depending isomers as described below.

A large number of production processes for these damascone isomers have been reported, for example, in "Review" (Shigeru Torii, et al., Koryo, No. 125, 47-60 (1979)). Among them, a production process of α-, β- and δ-damascone represented by the following reaction
wherein any one of dotted lines means a double bond.
The synthesis of α-, β- and δ-damascone involves two basic steps, namely, a Diels-Alder cycloaddition and an aldol condensation. The Diels-Alder cycloaddition produces 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexenyl methyl ketone, from which damascones can be formed via further reaction steps, typically involving (a) epimerisation of cis- to trans-cycloadduct via enolate formation, (b) thermodynamic enolate addition to ethanal(acetaldehyde) to yield the corresponding aldol product and (c) dehydration of the aldol product to yield damascone.
2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexenyl methyl ketone (1) is a useful compound as an intermediate for the synthesis of α-, β- and δ-damascone. It can be synthesized by a Diels-Alder reaction between 1,3-pentadiene and mesityl oxide as shown in the following reaction scheme:
Typically, more cis-cycloadduct than trans-cycloadduct is produced.
There is a need for new synthesis processes to improve the control of stereochemistry of the cycloadducts. There is also a need to have new synthesis processes to improve the yield of the desired damascone products.

Process for epimerising cyclohexenyl ketones and its application in Aldol condensation process


A mounting bracket for securing telemetry and other equipment on the railway car coupler of the end train includes a split strap secured about the rectangular coupler shrank and tightened by a screw bolt. The bracket has one or more stabilizing flanges in bearing engagement with surfaces of the coupler knuckle, and the equipment is mounted to one of such flanges.

This invention relates generally to a bracket for mounting equipment on a railway car coupler, and more particularly to a coupler mount for securing equipment to the shaft of the coupler of the end car in a train.
As is known cabooseless freight trains require equipment known as an end of train device (EOTD) capable of sensing and monitoring the brake line pressure and which is capable of confirming the presence of the end car.
The EOTD typically provides an output signal proportional to the air pressure within the brake pipe, repetitively monitors this output signal to measure the value of brake pipe air pressure, stores the brake pipe air pressure value, and repetitively transmits a report including the brake pipe air pressure value that is currently stored. A remote display unit mounted in the lead locomotive of the train receives each report from the EOTD, extracts the brake pipe air pressure value in each report, and displays the brake pipe air pressure value.
The EOTD is typically mounted on last car of the train at some suitable location, such as on the end coupler of the last car.
The EOTD is oftentimes mounted on the knuckle of the end coupler with the use of clamping jaws engaging relief holes at the side of the coupler, such relief holes being provided during the casting of the coupler for lightening purposes. Otherwise, the telemetry equipment may be mounted using a banana shaped member extending through a pair of such relief holes. The equipment may otherwise be clamped into the coupler flaghole.
Such prior mounting devices are however cumbersome and are otherwise unsuitable for quickly and repeatedly mounting the equipment to the car coupler and removing the equipment therefrom.
Moreover, the equipment to be mounted on the end coupler may include not only an EOTD but also a brake pipe continuity valve interconnected with the EOTD of the type set forth my prior U.S. application Ser. No. 850,021, filed Mar. 12, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,213, and commonly owned herewith. Such a valve and the EOTD must therefore be securely mounted in place without shifting or loosening as when exposed to vibration and shock during car movement.

Mounting bracket for railway car coupler


A method for storing video signal data of at least a partial frame in standard memory components includes providing standard memory components with 2.sup.m possible memory addresses, addressing b pixels with x address bits and separately addressing z lines with y address bits through picture addresses, and selecting b<2.sup.x, z<2.sup.y, and m, b, z, x and y as positive integers 2.sup.m is selected to be as small as possible but greater than the product of b and z. The x address bits and y address bits are recoded utilizing bit combinations not occurring in the picture addresses for uniquely assigning each occurring picture address its own memory address. A circuit configuration for performing the method includes a memory device having memory address input terminals for addressing 2.sup.m possible memory addresses, a data input terminal, and a data output terminal. A control device assigns picture addresses to video signal data and controls memorization of the video signal data. The control device has picture address terminals carrying picture addresses with separate x address bits for pixel addressing and y address bits for line addressing. A recoding apparatus is connected between the picture address terminals and the memory address input terminals for uniquely assigning each picture address its own memory address. A device is provided for reading out video signal data from the memory device.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing video signal data of at least a partial frame in standard memory components having 2.sup.m possible memory addresses, wherein b pixels are addressed by x address bits and z lines are separately addressed by y addressed bits through picture addresses, on the condition that b<2.sup.x, z<2.sup.y and m, b, z, x and y are positive integers.
The storage of video signal data is becoming increasingly important. The publication Siemens Components 26, 1988, No. 6, pages 240 through 245, for instance, discloses a digital television concept in which the central component is a memory device for storing video signal data of the television picture. Through the use of such a memory device it is possible, for instance, to inscribe the arriving video signal data into the memory device and read them out twice, at double speed. That doubles the vertical and horizontal frequencies, as a result of which the previously familiar large area flickering on the screen can be completely eliminated. It is also possible with the memory device to provide television receivers with noise suppression, cross-color reduction and features such as on-screen insets, 9-image split screens and zoom, among others.
Current memory applications for video signals use scanning rasters with b points per line and z lines, where b and z are generally not powers of 2. Nevertheless, the data are memorized in such a way that separate addressing of the pixels and picture lines by address counters is possible. The following memory provisions are conceivable:
a) the use of special memory components with line and column organization adapted to the scanning raster of the video signal;
b) the use of standard memory components, at the cost of an overly large memory capacity; and
c) reducing the video information to a format tailored to the memory organization of standard memory components.
While the use of special memory components with line and column organization adapted to the scanning raster additionally requires memory components adapted to video signal data storage, thus making such components expensive, the provision listed in item c above is advantageous to the extent that standard memory components can be used. However, the video information must be tailored to the memory organization of the standard memory component, which necessarily results in a reduction in video information. If standard memory components are nevertheless to be used, without accepting a reduction in video information, then previously it was only possible to use standard memory components, with an overly large memory capacity. In order to store a frame having 768 pixels and 320 lines with separate pixel and line addressing, one or more standard memory components had to be used, with a total memory organization of 1024 columns and 512 lines. That results in a considerable unused address region. Such a frame is described in greater detail below in the description of the drawings.

Video signal data recoding method for standard memory components and apparatus for perfomring the method


A method for attaching articles of clothing together, which method includes the use of a plastic tape which has been coated on both sides with releasable adhesive, which releasable adhesive has been selected so as to be appropriate for the specific qualities of the articles which are to be attached together. The suitability of the releasable adhesives for the particular articles is indicated directly on the sides of the tape by words, color, or other indication means.

Historically, there have been many ways of selectively interconnecting pieces of fabric, leather, plastic and other items. For consumer applications these means include buttons, zippers, laces, pins, velcro, and other familiar attachments. Atypically these attachments necessitate the permanent modification of one and/or both items to be interconnected. Additionally, the consumer has no choice as to the location, durability and other attributes of the interconnection. Due to these limitations, the consumer is generally either stuck with the designed fasteners as supplied by the manufacturer or does without the fastener. Frequently damage is done by other types of makeshift fasteners (for example a safety pin damages a silk dress). An example of the former are the belt loops which are generally included with articles of clothing. As an example of the latter, the peasant look with a blouson top necessitates frequent adjustment due to the lack of any method of maintaining the blouson top reliably above the wearer's belt. The problems of these previous methods combine to limit the design attributes of articles of clothing as well as causing the wearer to improvise makeshift solutions in order to obtain a certain look.


The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating G-alpha-q activity and methods of screening of test substances for the ability to modulate G-alpha-q activity.

Uveal melanoma is the major intraocular cancer, with 1,500 new cases in North America per year and a 50% chance of metastasizing to the liver1,2. The majority of uveal melanomas contain mutated Gαq that is constitutively active leading to aberrant activation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway and concomitant tumor progression3,4. Gαq directly activates the phospholipase C beta isoforms (PLC-β1-4) leading to the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) into the second messengers, inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). These second messengers mobilize intracellular calcium stores and activate protein kinase C (PKC) to promote proliferation5,6. Gαq also directly activates p63RhoGEF and related guanine nucleotide exchange factors that subsequently activate the low-molecular weight GTPase, RhoA, and possibly other, related GTPases7,8. Excessive activation of RhoA and related GTPases has also been shown to contribute to cancer progression9,10.
Melanomas are categorized into distinct subtypes—uveal, cutaneous, and acral—based on multiple criteria, including: cell morphology, gene expression patterns, metastatic potential, chemoresistance, and overall treatment regimens7,8. In contrast to uveal melanomas, cutaneous melanomas are most often driven by constitutively active N-Ras or B-Raf leading to the activation of the MAPK cascade9,10. Constitutively active Gαq is rare in cutaneous melanomas but is often found in benign blue nevi derived from cutaneous melanocytes, indicating that Gαq activates MAPK signaling in these melanocytes also3,4.
The present invention overcomes previous shortcomings in the art by providing methods and compositions for modulating the signaling activity of G-alpha-q, e.g., to treat disorders associated with aberrant signaling of G-alpha-q.

Methods and compositions for modulating G-alpha-Q signaling

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


An image forming apparatus has, as operation modes, a normal mode and a power-saving mode with power consumption smaller than the normal mode. The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit for receiving an instruction from a user, having an operation area to which a prescribed instruction from the user is input. The image forming apparatus further includes: a first detection unit detecting an input from the user to the operation area in the normal mode; a power control unit controlling power supply in the normal mode and the power-saving mode, and turning off power supply to the first detection unit in the power-saving mode; and a second detection unit detecting an input from the user to the operation area in the power-saving mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus controlling transition to a power-saving mode.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, power control for reducing power consumption has been done such that if an image forming apparatus is not used for a prescribed time period, transition to a low-power-consumption mode is made in which power supply to part of the apparatus is stopped. In the low-power-consumption mode, if a user operation is received through an operation panel of the apparatus, the low-power-consumption mode is cancelled and transition to a normal mode takes place. Such a transition is made possible by constantly scanning a touch panel or keys on the operation panel using a detection circuit arranged in the operation panel to detect a user operation. Recently, however, in order to further reduce power consumption in the low-power-consumption mode, power supply to the detection circuit is also stopped. In this case, the low-power-consumption mode cannot be cancelled by the user operation through the operation panel. Therefore, a method of cancelling the power-saving mode based on a detection result of a separately provided human body detection sensor has been proposed.
By way of example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-251194 proposes a method in which a mat switch is provided on the floor in front of an image forming apparatus, and when a user coming to and standing in front of the apparatus is detected, the power-saving mode is cancelled.
According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-251194, however, though it is possible to cancel the power-saving mode depending on whether a user is standing in front of the image forming apparatus, it is impossible to determine whether the user operates the apparatus or not. A method of providing a human body detection sensor near the operation panel may be possible. In that case, however, if detection distance is long, a person simply passing in front of the apparatus may be erroneously detected. If the detection distance is short, detectable range becomes narrow, so that detection of a user operation with respect to the entire surface of operation area possibly fails. By arranging a plurality of directional detection sensors over the entire surface of operation panel, it becomes possible to detect any operation on the entire surface of the operation area. This approach, however, leads to increased cost and excessively large operation panel.

KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.