1. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus that comprises a recording material supply section for supplying sheets of recording material, a conveyer device for conveying the recording material along a transport path, a recording device for recording an image on the recording material as being conveyed, and a skew correction device for correcting skew of the recording material on said transport path so as to make a leading edge of each sheet of the recording material be parallel to a main scan direction that is a widthwise direction of said transport path, said method comprising steps of:
supplying first and second sheets of recording material from said recording material supplying section, said first and second sheets being different in length in a sub scan direction that is a lengthwise direction of said transport path;
recording a test pattern on said first and second sheets of recording material by said recording device, to produce first and second test prints, said test pattern having a first line that is defined to be parallel to said sub scan direction;
measuring distances from one side of each of said test prints to two different points of said first line as recorded on each of said test prints;
calculating a skew degree of each of said first and second test prints from said measured two distances;
calculating skew characteristics of each of said first and second sheets of recording material from said skew degrees of said first and second test prints, said skew characteristics being dependent upon a location of said recording material supply section and the lengths in the sub scan direction of said first and second sheets; and
adjusting, based on the calculated skew characteristics, correction parameters for said skew correction device to correct skew of recording materials supplied from said recording material supply section;
wherein said test pattern comprises a plural number of second lines defined to be parallel to the main scan direction, and a third line that is symmetrical to said first line about a referential line connecting center points of said second lines to each other, and said method further comprises steps of:
calculating a variation of a print starting position in the main scan direction based on a difference between a distance from the one side edge to said first line and a distance from opposite side edge to said third line with respect to either of said test prints; and
adjusting the print starting position in the main scan direction by controlling said recording device based on the calculated variation of the print starting position in the main scan direction.
2. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said image recording apparatus comprises a second recording material supply section, and said method further comprises steps of:
supplying a third sheet of recording material from said second recording material supplying section, said third sheet being equal in length in the sub scan direction to said first sheet;
recording a test pattern on said third sheet, to produce a third test print;
measuring distances from one side of said third test print to two different points of said first line as recorded on said third test print;
calculating a skew degree of said third test print from said measured two distances;
calculating skew characteristics of said third sheet of recording material from said skew degrees of said first and third test prints, said skew characteristics being dependent upon a location of said second recording material supply section and the length in the sub scan direction of said third sheet; and
adjusting, based on the calculated skew characteristics of said third sheet, correction parameters for said skew correction device to correct skew of recording materials as supplied from said second recording material supply section.
3. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said test pattern comprises a second line that is defined to be parallel to said main scan direction, and said method further comprises steps of:
calculating a variation of a print starting position in the sub scan direction based on a distance from a leading end to said second line of either of said test prints; and
adjusting the print starting position in the sub scan direction by controlling said recording device based on the calculated variation of the print starting position in the sub scan direction.
4. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said recording material supply section is loaded with one of different kinds of exchangeable recording material containers, and a test print is made to adjust the correction parameters for said skew correction device and the print starting position in the sub scan direction with respect to each of said recording material containers.
5. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recording material supply section is loaded with one of different kinds of exchangeable recording material containers, and a test print is made to adjust the correction parameters for said skew correction device and the print starting position in the main scan direction with respect to each of said recording material containers.
6. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said test pattern comprises at least two second lines defined to be parallel to the main scan direction and spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance, and said method further comprises steps of measuring a distance between said second lines on either of said test prints to calculate a fluctuation in transport speed of the recording material, and controlling said conveyer device to adjust the transport speed based on the calculated fluctuation in transport speed.
7. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said recording material supply section is loaded with one of different kinds of exchangeable recording material containers, and said method further comprises steps of making a test print on each of recording materials of different widths supplied from different ones of said recording material containers, calculating fluctuation characteristics of the transport speed to the width or length in the main scan direction of each of said recording materials, to adjust the transport speed with respect to each of said recording material containers.
8. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of providing information identifying said test prints on a front side or a back side of each of said test prints.
9. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus that comprises a recording material supply section for supplying sheets of recording material, a conveyer device for conveying the recording material along a transport path, a recording device for recording an image on the recording material as being conveyed, and a skew correction device for correcting skew of the recording material on said transport path so as to make a leading edge of each sheet of the recording material be parallel to a main scan direction that is a widthwise direction of said transport path, said method comprising steps of:
supplying first and second sheets of recording material from said recording material supplying section, said first and second sheets being different in length in a sub scan direction that is a lengthwise direction of said transport path;
recording a test pattern on said first and second sheets of recording material by said recording device, to produce first and second test prints, said test pattern having a first line that is defined to be parallel to said sub scan direction;
measuring distances from one side of each of said test prints to two different points of said first line as recorded on each of said test prints;
calculating a skew degree of each of said first and second test prints from said measured two distances;
calculating skew characteristics of each of said first and second sheets of recording material from said skew degrees of said first and second test prints, said skew characteristics being dependent upon a location of said recording material supply section and the lengths in the sub scan direction of said first and second sheets; and
adjusting, based on the calculated skew characteristics, correction parameters for said skew correction device to correct skew of recording materials supplied from said recording material supply section
wherein said image recording apparatus comprises a second recording material supply section, said test pattern comprises a second line that is defined to be parallel to said main scan direction, a plural number of second lines defined to be parallel to the main scan direction, and a third line that is symmetrical to said first line about a referential line connecting center points of said second lines to each other, and said method further comprises steps of:
supplying a third sheet of recording material from said second recording material supplying section, said third sheet being equal in length in the sub scan direction to said first sheet;
recording a test pattern on said third sheet, to produce a third test print;
measuring distances from one side of said third test print to two different points of said first line as recorded on said third test print;
calculating a skew degree of said third test print from said measured two distances;
calculating skew characteristics of said third sheet of recording material from said skew degrees of said first and third test prints, said skew characteristics being dependent upon a location of said second recording material supply section and the length in the sub scan direction of said third sheet;
adjusting, based on the calculated skew characteristics of said third sheet, correction parameters for said skew correction device to correct skew of recording materials as supplied from said second recording material supply section;
calculating a variation of a print starting position in the sub scan direction based on a distance from a leading end to said second line of either of said test prints;
calculating a variation of a print starting position in the main scan direction based on a difference between a distance from the one side edge to said first line and a distance from opposite side edge to said third line with respect to each of said first and third test prints;
adjusting the print starting positions in the main and sub scan directions by controlling said recording device based on the calculated variations of the print starting positions in the main and sub scan directions.
10. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first and third sheets of recording material have different widths, and said method further comprises steps of measuring a distance between said second lines on either of said test prints to calculate a fluctuation in transport speed of the recording material, and calculating fluctuation characteristics of the transport speed to the width or length in the main scan direction of each of said recording materials, to adjust the transport speed with respect to each of said recording material containers controlling said conveyer device to adjust the transport speed based on the calculated transport speed.
11. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said recording material supply section is loaded with one of different kinds of exchangeable recording material containers, and said method further comprises steps of making a test print with respect to each of said recording material containers, to adjust the correction parameters for said skew correction device, the print starting positions in the main and sub scan directions and the transport speed of said conveyer device individually on each of said recording material containers.
12. A method of adjusting an image recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said image recording apparatus comprises a display device, and said method comprises steps of displaying a selected one of setting screens on said display device, said setting screens comprising one for allowing adjusting the correction parameters for said skew correction device, the transport speed of said conveyer device and the print starting positions in the main and sub scan directions simultaneously with respect to all of said recording material containers, and ones for allowing adjusting any of the correction parameters for said skew correction device, the transport speed of said conveyer device, the print starting position in the main scan direction or the print starting position in the sub scan direction with respect to individual one of said recording material containers.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of controlling an ablation volume depth during surface treatment of a target tissue site, the method comprising:
providing a tissue surface treatment apparatus, the apparatus comprising a housing having a proximal end and a distal end including a substantially planar tissue contacting surface having a plurality of apertures each positioned in the tissue contacting surface, the housing defining an interior, an energy delivery device including a plurality of electrodes, each with a tissue penetrating distal end, the plurality of electrodes configured to be advanced from the housing interior through an aperture of the plurality of apertures and into a target tissue site to define an ablation volume at least partly bounded by the tissue surface; an advancement device being coupled to the energy delivery device, the advancement device configured to selectively advance individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes from the housing interior to a selected deployment depth;
positioning the tissue contact surface on a target tissue surface;
selectively advancing the plurality of electrodes to the selected deployment depth beneath a tissue surface while avoiding a critical structure;
delivering ablative energy from the energy delivery device;
creating an ablation volume at a controlled depth below the tissue surface responsive to the electrode advancement device; and
minimizing injury to the critical structure responsive to the electrode deployment depth.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
controlling the deployment depth of the plurality of electrodes using one of the advancement device, or a stop coupled to one of the advancement device, the housing or the plurality of electrodes.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes a first and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes being independently positionable, the method further comprising;
positioning the first electrode at a first selectable deployment depth;
positioning the second electrode at a second selectable deployment depth independent of the first depth;
defining an ablation volume utilizing the first and the second deployment depths.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
positioning one of the first or the second electrodes to avoid or minimize injury to the critical structure.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of electrodes includes a sensor, the method further comprising:
positioning at least one of the plurality of electrodes responsive to an input from the sensor.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be advanceable within an introducer including a lumen, the method further comprising:
positioning the introducer proximate to the tissue site;
advancing the apparatus through the introducer lumen to the tissue site.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the apparatus has a non-deployed state and a deployed state, at least a portion of the apparatus being configured to be advanceable through the introducer lumen in the non-deployed state and positionable on the tissue surface in the deployed state, the method further comprising;
advancing the apparatus through the introducer lumen in the nondeployed state;
deploying the apparatus to the deployed state to at least partially engage the tissue contacting surface with the tissue surface.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the housing or tissue contact surface is deflectable or conformable, the method further comprising:
conforming or deflecting one of the housing or the contact surface to at least partially correspond to a tissue surface contour.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the apparatus includes a deflection mechanism coupled to one of the tissue contact surface or the housing, the deflection mechanism including an actuating means configured to allow remote deflection of the housing or tissue contact surface, the method further comprising:
deflecting or bending the tissue contact surface or housing utilizing the actuating means positioned externally to the target tissue site or the tissue surface.
10. A method of surface treatment of a target tissue site, the method comprising:
providing a tissue surface treatment apparatus, the apparatus comprising a housing having a proximal end and a substantially planar distal end having at least one aperture positioned in the distal end, an expandable member positioned at the distal end of the housing and including a tissue contacting surface, the expandable member having a non-deployed state and an expanded or deployed state, and an energy delivery device, the energy delivery device including a plurality of electrodes each with a tissue penetrating distal end, the plurality of electrodes being selectively advanceable through the at least one aperture and by or through the expandable member to an individual selected deployment depth within the target tissue site to define an ablation volume at least partly bounded by the tissue surface;
positioning the apparatus at the target tissue site;
deploying the expandable member to at least partially engage the target tissue surface;
advancing the plurality of electrodes to the selected deployment depth beneath a tissue surface while avoiding a critical structure;
delivering ablative energy from the energy delivery device;
creating an ablation volume at a controlled depth below the tissue surface responsive to the electrode deployment depth; and
minimizing injury to the critical structure responsive to the electrode deployment depth.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
utilizing the expandable member to advance the plurality of electrodes.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
utilizing the expandable member to selectively control the deployment depth of the plurality of electrodes.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
expanding the expandable member to at least partially stabilize or immobilize the target tissue surface.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
expanding the expandable member to at least partially stabilize or immobilize a tissue contacting surface of the expandable member with respect to the tissue surface.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
expanding the expandable member to apply a substantially uniformly distributed force over an interface between the expandable member and the target tissue surface.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
uniformly stabilizing or immobilizing the tissue surface at an interface between the expandable member and the tissue surface.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is configured to be advanceable within an introducer in the non-deployed state and deployable from the introducer in the expanded state, the method further comprising:
advancing the expandable member through the introducer lumen in the non-deployed state;
positioning at least a portion of the expandable member outside of a distal end of the introducer;
expanding at least a portion of the expandable member to the deployed state.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes includes a sensor, the method further comprising:
positioning the at least one electrode responsive to an input from the sensor.
19. The method of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the expandable member includes a fluid strut, the method further comprising:
inflating the fluid strut to deploy the expansion device.
20. A method of controlling an ablation volume depth during surface treatment of a target tissue site, the method comprising:
providing a tissue surface treatment apparatus, the apparatus comprising a housing having a proximal end and a distal end having a substantially planar tissue contacting surface configured to at least partially immobilize the tissue surface, the housing defining an interior; an energy delivery device positionable in the housing interior, the energy delivery device including a plurality of electrodes with a tissue penetrating distal end, the plurality of electrodes configured to be selectively advanced from the housing interior substantially normal to the plane of the tissue contacting surface to an individual selected deployment depth in a target tissue site to define an ablation volume at least partly bounded by the tissue surface; an advancement device being coupled to the energy delivery device, the advancement device configured to selectively advance individual electrodes of the plurality of electrodes from the housing interior to a selected deployment depth;
positioning the tissue contacting surface on a target tissue surface;
at least partially immobilizing the tissue surface utilizing the tissue contacting surface;
selectively advancing the plurality of electrodes to the selected deployment depth beneath a tissue surface while avoiding a critical structure;
delivering ablative energy from the energy delivery device;
creating an ablation volume at a controlled depth below the tissue surface responsive to the electrode deployment depth; and
minimizing injury to the critical structure responsive to the electrode deployment depth.