Rare cell filter and application thereof
Technical field
The present invention relates to a kind of cell filter, refer to that particularly one is applicable to human peripheral bloodMiddle circulating tumor cell and fetal circulation cell catch and associated external early diagnosis,Auxiliary diagnosis, individualized treatment, chemotherapeutics assessment, tumor recurrence monitoring and drug developmentCell filter.
Background technology
Cancer is when the No.1 formidable enemy and the modal lethal factor that affect human health. AlthoughDiagnosis and the treatment existing a large amount of research and practice of people to cancer, has also developed effectively a lotTechnology and method, but these technology and method to diagnosis and treatment two aspects demand also haveVery large deficiency. For example, we can't accomplish good early diagnosis and chemotherapy assessment. OrderFront conventional image technology, comprises ultrasonic (US), computerized tomograph (CT), nuclear-magnetismResonance image-forming (MRI) and Positron Emission Computed Tomography (PET) are less than diameterThe tumour of 2~3 millimeters is difficult to confirmation, and under many circumstances to viewed tumor-infiltrated energyPower is difficult for judgement. In addition, image technology ray used also has certain harm to health. Normal at presentWith another technology be that pathological tissues to taking off from biological tissue carries out histotomy analysis.This method limitation is to be difficult to determine the generation of metastases, and the method is invasive, thereby likely tumor tissues is caused and stimulates the transfer that promotes tumour, thereby can not serve asThe conventional method of monitoring tumour progression, result for the treatment of or recurrence. The third is based on hematologicalInspection method: when primary tumo(u)r and/or metastatic tumour released antigen or other is relevant to cancerationWhen mark can be detected in human peripheral blood, just point out the existence of tumour, but hadA little other reasons also can cause the increase of these marks as inflammation etc., thus can not make a definite diagnosis,In addition, this type of blood test can not be made judgement quickly and accurately to chemotherapeutic efficacy. Research tableBright, in human peripheral blood, the quantity of cancer cell, kind and characteristic can be used as the weight of cancerWant mark, if the cancer cell in can fast Acquisition blood is just hopeful to send out in early daysExisting cancer also changes nursing for treating.
Summary of the invention
Technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a kind of rare cell filter and application thereof, the invention solves rareThe problem of selective and poor sensitivity in cell capture process, can realize at short notice efficient and reliably rare cell catchObtain and detect, the manufacture craft of simultaneously screening film is simple, and application is convenient, reliable and efficiency is high.
For solving the problems of the technologies described above, a kind of rare cell filter provided by the invention, its bagDraw together screen pipe, described screen pipe one end opening, is provided with along screen pipe inwall in described screen pipeThe elastic packing head sliding, described screen pipe becomes the sealing of energy receiving fluids with elastic packing capitiformChamber, described elastic packing head top is equipped with the injection tube sliding along screen pipe inwall, instituteState the bobbin that injection tube comprises both ends open, top, described bobbin one end is provided with cover, described inThe bobbin opening part of cover below is provided with filter support rings, in described filter support rings, is provided withCover the microwell array filter membrane of opening, described cover, bobbin and filter support rings form filter chamber,Described bobbin, elastic packing head and filter support rings form recovery pond, in described recovery pond, arrangeHave sample tubule, described sample tubule one end is stretched in filter chamber through filter support rings, anotherEnd stretches in enclosed cavity through elastic packing head, and the sidewall on described bobbin top offers ventilationHole.
Further, described microwell array filter membrane is arranged on filter support rings inwall, describedMicrowell array filter membrane below is also provided with screen pack, and described screen pack is fixed in filter support ringsOn wall.
Again further, on the caping inwall of described cover, be provided with the circle of the diameter that is less than capingShape boss, forms annular groove between described round boss and the barrel of cover, and described annular is recessedIn groove, be provided with seal washer, the below of described round boss arrange be less than round boss diameter andThere is the hollow cylinder of multiple side direction breach, between described hollow cylinder and microwell array filter membrane, arrangeThere is seal washer.
Again further, on the caping inwall of described cover, be provided with the circle of the diameter that is less than capingShape boss, the tunnel wall type of described round boss and cover circularizes groove, in described annular grooveBe provided with seal washer, on described round boss, arrange and be less than boss diameter and have multiple side direction to lackThe hollow cylinder of mouth, described microwell array filter membrane is arranged on hollow cylinder inwall, described microporeBetween array filter membrane and filter support rings, be provided with seal washer.
Again further, described cover central authorities are provided with columned additional injection port, described attachedAdd and supportingly on injection port be provided with additional access cover.
Again further, the opening part of described screen pipe is outwards " α " angle and stretches, its outer wallOn be provided with oblique angle reinforcing ring, the angle at wherein said " α " angle is 5~45 °.
Again further, the described bobbin other end is also provided with tube connector, another of described tube connectorEnd is provided with annular edge, and described elastic packing head is provided with groove, the notch limit of described grooveEdge is provided with annular clamp, and described annular edge is positioned at groove.
Again further, described bobbin and cover are threaded connection.
Again further, described microwell array filter membrane is by intensive regularly arranged tapered micro holes or twoLayer microwell array forms, and it is little that described tapered micro holes or double-deck micropore are positioned at the aperture of filter chamber one endIn the aperture that is positioned at recovery pond one end.
Again further, the diameter of described screen pipe outer wall is 10~100mm, is highly10~300mm, pipe wall thickness is 1~8mm.
Again further, the diameter of described bobbin is 9~99mm, is highly 10~300mm,Pipe wall thickness is 1~8mm.
Again further, described cover diameter is 12~105mm, is highly 5~30mm, pipeWall wall thickness is 1~8mm.
Again further, described additional injection port internal diameter is 0.5~10mm, and external diameter is1~12mm is highly 2~10mm.
Again further, described sample tubule internal diameter is between 0.1~3 millimeter, and external diameter is 0.5~5Millimeter.
Again further, the diameter of described passage is 0.1~2mm, position of opening and bobbin topDistance between portion is 5~10mm.
Again further, described filter support rings outer dia is 10~100mm, described supportThe mesh diameter of net is 0.2~5mm, and mesh density is 9~900/cm2, thickness is 0.5~2mm.
Again further, the thickness of described microwell array filter membrane is 10~100 μ m, and aperture straightFootpath is 1~20 μ m, and large aperture diameter is 5~100 μ m, two of described microwell array filter membraneBetween aperture, distance of center circle is from being 2~500 μ m.
Again further, in described bobbin external wall of upper portion, be provided with reinforcing ring.
The present invention also provides a kind of rare cell filter fix and dye, carefully at cell captureApplication in born of the same parents' imaging and counting process, comprises the following steps:
1) sterilizing: rare cell filter is placed in and carries out sterilizing under ultraviolet light;
2) finishing of cell filtration film: get the protein solution preparing in advance and be placed in micropore battle arrayFinishing is carried out on row filter membrane surface, then microwell array filter membrane is fixed on by seal washerOn injection tube cover;
3) cell capture: the cover that microwell array filter membrane is housed is threaded onto on bobbin by screw thread,Guarantee sealing, the phosphate buffer that contains cancer cell is injected to enclosed cavity, injection tube is slowBe advanced into screen pipe bottom, the phosphate buffer that contains cancer cell is entered by sample tubuleIn microwell array filter membrane, carry out cell capture;
4) cell is fixed: after above-mentioned cell capture, take off injection tube cover and micropore battle arrayRow filter membrane, fixes the cell being captured on film with paraformaldehyde solution;
5) cell dyeing: add successively the penetrating liquid of Triton-Xl00 and bovine serum albumin(BSA) to carefullyBorn of the same parents' pre-treatment of dyeing; To have again fluorescein-labeled antibody to be placed on film, and make it with carefullyThe cancer markers phase specific bond of the specific antigen of cellular surface or cell;
6) imaging and analysis: with fluorescence microscope to the cell of catching on microwell array filter membraneCarry out imaging and analyze the number of the cell of catching and the capture rate of correspondence.
The present invention also provide a kind of rare cell filter cultivate at cell, in amplification procedureApplication, comprises the following steps:
1) sterilizing: rare cell filter is placed in and carries out sterilizing under ultraviolet light;
2) finishing of cell filtration film: get the protein solution preparing in advance and be placed in micropore battle arrayFinishing is carried out on row filter membrane surface, then microwell array filter membrane is fixed on by seal washerOn injection tube cover;
3) cell capture: the cover that microwell array filter membrane is housed is threaded onto on bobbin by screw thread,Guarantee sealing, the phosphate buffer that contains cancer cell is injected to enclosed cavity, injection tube is slowBe advanced into screen pipe bottom, the phosphate buffer that contains cancer cell is entered by sample tubuleIn microwell array filter membrane, carry out cell capture;
4) cell is cultivated: after treating cell capture, take off injection tube cover and microwell arrayFilter membrane, is gently placed in 96 orifice plates by filter membrane, slowly adds cell culture fluid to be placed on cell trainingSupport in case.
The present invention also provides a kind of efficient rare cell filter for blood sample circulating tumorCell capture application process, comprises the steps:
1) sterilizing: cell filter is placed in and carries out sterilizing under ultraviolet light;
2) finishing of cell filtration film: get the protein solution preparing in advance and be placed in micropore battle arrayFinishing is carried out on row filter membrane surface, then microwell array filter membrane is fixed on by seal washerOn injection tube cover;
3) cell capture: the cover that microwell array filter membrane is housed is threaded onto on bobbin by screw thread,Guarantee sealing, the phosphate buffer that contains cancer cell is injected to enclosed cavity, injection tube is slowBe advanced into screen pipe bottom, the phosphate buffer that contains cancer cell is entered by sample tubuleIn microwell array filter membrane, carry out cell capture;
4) blood sample processing: get respectively patient's blood sample PBS solution dilution;
5) cell capture: microwell array filter membrane is packed on injection tube, guarantee sealing, by bloodSample injects in enclosed cavity, and injection tube is slowly advanced into screen pipe bottom;
6) cell is fixed: after treating cell capture, take off injection tube cover and microwell arrayFilter membrane, fixes the cell being captured on film with paraformaldehyde solution;
7) cell dyeing: add successively the penetrating liquid of Triton-Xl00 and bovine serum albumin(BSA) to carefullyBorn of the same parents' pre-treatment of dyeing; To have again fluorescein-labeled antibody to be placed on film, and make it with carefullyThe cancer markers phase specific bond of the specific antigen of cellular surface or cell;
8) imaging and analysis: with fluorescence microscope to the cell of catching on microwell array filter membraneCarry out imaging and analyze the number of the cancer cell of catching and the capture rate of correspondence.
Beneficial effect of the present invention is:
1) therefore the fltting speed of the injection tube of cell filter can be controlled in certain limit,Can regulate sample by the flow of filter membrane. 2) when the flow of sample by filter membrane hour,The pressure reduction on filter membrane both sides is also less, thereby guarantees that caught rare cell is retained and activityBe not subject to larger impact.
3) make cavity that sample is input to filter membrane top through water conservancy diversion tubule again through filter by injection tubeThe mode that film flow into the sample recovery pond of injection tube bottom guarantee fluid sample through film timeThe Hou Youyi component that flows over, does not have the part in hole thereby reduce cell in fluid sample on film surfaceStop;
4) in the time selecting high efficiency filter film, so the composition except rare cell all can in bloodStart by filter membrane, thus guarantee the permeability of filter membrane or the pressure reduction on filter membrane both sides constant, therebyCaught rare cell is retained and the active not impact of pressure difference
3), after rare cell is caught, can filter membrane be taken out and carry out cell cultivation, thin ground, aspectBorn of the same parents process the further analysis with imaging detection and cellular and molecular level;
5) the present invention is early diagnosis of cancer, chemotherapeutics assessment, individualized treatment, tumourThe exploitation of recurrence monitoring and tumour medicine etc. provides a kind of reliable means;
6) cell filter application of the present invention conveniently, reliable and efficiency is high.
Brief description of the drawings
Fig. 1 is the structural representation with the rare cell filter of screen pack;
Fig. 2 is the structural representation that the rare cell filter of screen pack is not set;
Fig. 3 is the structural representation of screen pipe;
Fig. 4 is the structural representation that cover is offered additional injection port;
Fig. 5 is the structural representation of bobbin;
Fig. 6 is the structural representation of elastic packing head;
Fig. 7 is microwell array filter membrane structural representation;
Fig. 8 is the A-A cutaway view of Fig. 7, and wherein, A shows the reinforcing of tapered micro holes filter membraneThe schematic diagram of ring, A is the schematic diagram of double-deck microwell array and filter membrane reinforcing ring;
Fig. 9 is the HT29 cell fluorescence figure being trapped on cell filtration film;
Figure 10 is HT29 cell the showing after 3 days cultivate being trapped on cell filtration filmMicro-figure;
Figure 11 is that blood sample passes through the fluorogram after cell filtration film;
So DAPI mark is the nucleus of cell, what CK identified is cancer cell keratin,What CD45 identified is leucocyte, and Merge is three fluorescence constitutional diagram. Length of the scale is 40 micro-Rice.
In figure, 1. screen pipe, 2. injection tube (2.1. bobbin (2.11. tube connector, 2.12. annular snapLimit), 2.2. filter support rings (2.21. screen pack), 2.3. microwell array filter membrane, 2.31. filter membraneThe tapered micro holes array of reinforcing ring, 2.32. filter membrane, the double-deck microwell array of 2.33. filter membrane, 2.4.Cover, the additional injection port of 2.41., the additional access cover of 2.42., 2.43. round boss, 2.44. annularGroove,2.45. hollow cylinder), 3. enclosed cavity, 4. filter chamber, 5. recovery pond, 6. sample tubule, 7. logicalPore, 8. oblique angle reinforcing ring, 9. seal washer, 10. reinforcing ring, 11. elastic packing head (11.1.Groove, 11.2. annular clamp).
Detailed description of the invention
In order to explain better the present invention, further illustrate the present invention below in conjunction with specific embodimentMain contents, but content of the present invention is not only confined to following examples.
Embodiment 1
As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5: rare cell filter, it comprises screen pipe 1,Screen pipe 1 one end openings, the opening part of screen pipe 1 is outwards 30 ° of angles and stretches, its outer wallOn be provided with oblique angle reinforcing ring 8. In screen pipe 1, be provided with the bullet sliding along screen pipe 1 inwallProperty seal head 11, screen pipe 1 and elastic packing head 11 form enclosed cavity 3 that can receiving fluids,Elastic packing head 11 tops are equipped with the injection tube 2 sliding along screen pipe 1 inwall, notePenetrate the bobbin 2.1 that cylinder 2 comprises both ends open, bobbin 2.1 is threaded connection with cover 2.4.In bobbin 2.1 external wall of upper portion, be provided with reinforcing ring 10
Bobbin 2.1 other ends are also provided with tube connector 2.11, and the other end of tube connector 2.11 is provided withAnnular edge 2.12, elastic packing head 11 is provided with groove 11.1, the notch limit of groove 11.1Edge is provided with annular clamp 11.2, and annular edge 2.12 is positioned at groove 11.1. Make bobbin2.1 with tube connector 2.11 engagement connections.
Bobbin 2.1 opening parts of cover 2.4 belows are provided with filter support rings 2.2, filter and supportOn ring 2.2, be provided with the microwell array filter membrane 2.3 that covers opening, cover 2.4, bobbin 2.1 andFilter support rings 2.2 forms filter chamber 4, and bobbin 2.1, elastic packing head 11 and filtration are supportedRing 2.2 forms recovery pond 5, is provided with sample tubule 6, sample tubule 6 one in recovery pond 5End stretches in filter chamber 4 through filter support rings 2.2, and the other end is through elastic packing head 11Stretch in enclosed cavity 3, the sidewall on bobbin 2.1 tops offers passage 7.
Microwell array filter membrane 2.3 is arranged on filter support rings 2.2 inwalls, filters at microwell arrayFilm 2.3 belows are also provided with screen pack 2.21, and screen pack 2.21 is fixed on filter support rings 2.2On inwall.
On the caping inwall of cover 2.4, be provided with the round boss 2.43 of the diameter that is less than caping,Between the barrel of round boss 2.43 and cover 2.4, form annular groove 2.44, annular grooveIn 2.44, be provided with seal washer 9, the below of round boss 2.43 arranges and is less than round boss2.43 diameters and have the hollow cylinder 2.45 of multiple side direction breach, hollow cylinder 2.45 and microporeBetween array filter membrane 2.3, be provided with seal washer 9.
Microwell array filter membrane 2.3 is by filter membrane reinforcing ring 2.31 and intensive regularly arranged tapered micro holes2.32 or double-deck micropore 2.33 arrays form, tapered micro holes or double-deck micropore are positioned at filter chamber 4The aperture of one end is less than the aperture that is positioned at recovery pond 5 one end.
The diameter of screen pipe 1 outer wall is 10~100mm, is highly 10~300mm, tube wall wallThick is 1~8mm.
The diameter of bobbin 2.1 is 9~99mm, is highly 10~300mm, and pipe wall thickness is1~8mm。
Cover 2.4 diameters are 12~105mm, are highly 5~30mm, and pipe wall thickness is1~8mm。
Additional injection port 2.41 internal diameters are 0.5~10mm, and external diameter is 1~12mm, is highly2~10mm。
Sample tubule 6 internal diameters are between 0.1~3 millimeter, and external diameter is 0.5~5 millimeter.
The diameter of passage 7 is 0.1~2mm, the distance between position of opening and bobbin 2.1 topsFrom being 5~10mm.
Filter support rings 2.2 outer dias are 10~100mm, the mesh diameter of supporting network 2.21Be 0.2~5mm, mesh density is 9~900/cm2, thickness is 0.5~2mm.
The thickness of microwell array filter membrane 2.3 is 10~100 μ m, and small-bore diameter is 1~20 μ m,Large aperture diameter is 5~100 μ m, and between two apertures of microwell array filter membrane, distance of center circle is from being2~500μm。
The specification size of rare cell filter, designs according to actual conditions. Its whole portionsPart is made up of biocompatible materials.
Embodiment 2
As shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the rare cell of the present embodiment and embodiment 1 filtersDevice is basic identical, and difference is:
On the caping inwall of cover 2.4, be provided with the round boss 2.43 of the diameter that is less than caping,Round boss 2.43 circularizes groove 2.44, annular groove 2.44 with the tunnel wall type of cover 2.4Inside be provided with seal washer 9, on round boss 2.43, arrange and be less than boss diameter and have multiple sidesTo the hollow cylinder 2.45 of breach, microwell array filter membrane 2.3 is arranged on hollow cylinder 2.45 inwallsUpper, between microwell array filter membrane 2.3 and filter support rings, be provided with seal washer 9.
Embodiment 3
As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5: the present embodiment and embodiment's 1 is rare thinBorn of the same parents' filter is basic identical, and difference is:
Cover 2.4 central authorities are provided with columned additional injection port 2.41, additional injection port 2.41The upper supporting additional access cover 2.42 that is provided with.
Embodiment 4
As shown in Figure 2-5: the rare cell filter of the present embodiment and embodiment 1 is basic identical,Difference is:
Cover 2.4 central authorities are provided with columned additional injection port 2.41, additional injection port 2.41The upper supporting additional access cover 2.42 that is provided with.
Embodiment 5
Use in embodiment 2 rare cell filter to be used for catching PBS solution and mix rectumCancer cell HT29, comprises the steps:
1) sterilizing: rare cell filter is placed in and carries out sterilizing under ultraviolet light;
2) finishing of cell filtration film: the MaxGel solution of getting the 20 μ l that prepare in advance(1 ︰ 100 dilution proportion are in PBS solution) is placed in microwell array filter membrane 2.3 surfaces,In cell culture incubator, modify after 1 hour, remove residual solution, in fume hood, place 30 pointsZhong Hou, is fixed on microwell array filter membrane 2.3 on cover 2.4 by seal washer 9;
3) cell capture: the cover 2.4 that microwell array filter membrane 2.3 is housed is threaded onto by screw threadOn bobbin 2.1, guarantee sealing, the PBS solution that 10ml is contained to rectum cancer cell HT29Inject in enclosed cavity 3, injection tube 2 is slowly advanced into 1 bottom;
4) cell is fixed: after cell capture completes, take off cover 2.4 and microwell array filterFilm 2.3, the paraformaldehyde solution that is 4% by concentration is consolidated the HT29 cell being captured on filmFixed;
5) cell dyeing: add successively 0.2% the penetrating liquid of Triton-Xl00 and 1% ox bloodPure albumen is to the cell pre-treatment of dyeing, then will have fluorescein-labeled antibody to be placed in filmUpper, and make it to combine with the specific antigen of cell surface or the cancer markers of cell;
6) imaging and analysis: the HT29 cell of catching on filter membrane is entered with fluorescence microscopeRow imaging is also analyzed the number of the cancer cell of catching and the capture rate of correspondence.
Fig. 9 is the HT29 cell fluorescence being trapped on cell filtration film. DAPI is designated instituteHave nucleus, CK mark be HT29 cytokeratin, Merge is DAPI and CKConstitutional diagram. Length of the scale is 100 microns.
Embodiment 6
Use rare cell filter in embodiment 2 to be used for cultivating rectum cancer cell HT29,Comprise the steps:
1) high-temperature sterilization: rare cell filter is placed in and carries out sterilizing under ultraviolet light;
2) finishing of cell filtration film: the MaxGel solution of getting the 20 μ l that prepare in advance(1:100 dilution proportion is in PBS solution) is placed in microwell array filter membrane 2.3 surfaces, carefullyIn born of the same parents' incubator, modify after 1 hour, remove residual solution, in fume hood, place 30 minutesAfter, microwell array filter membrane 2.3 is fixed in filter support rings 2.2 by seal washer 9;
3) cell capture: cover 2.4 is threaded onto on bobbin 2.1 by screw thread, guarantees sealing,The PBS solution that 10ml is contained to rectum cancer cell HT29 injects in enclosed cavity 3, will injectCylinder 2 is slowly advanced into 1 bottom;
4) cell is cultivated: after cell capture completes, take off cover 2.4 and microwell array filterFilm 2.3, is gently placed in 96 orifice plates by filter membrane, slowly adds 1ml cell culture fluid to be placed on carefullyIn born of the same parents' incubator.
As shown in figure 10, cell filter has obtained HT29 cell and is placed in culture medium and trainsSupport, after 3 days cultivate, obtain cultured cell.
Embodiment 7
Use in embodiment 2 rare cell filter to be used for catching PBS solution and mix rectumCancer cell HT29, comprises the steps:
1) sterilizing: rare cell filter is placed in and carries out sterilizing under ultraviolet light;
2) finishing of cell filtration film: the MaxGel solution of getting the 20 μ l that prepare in advance(1:100 dilution proportion is in PBS solution) is placed in microwell array filter membrane 2.3 surfaces, carefullyIn born of the same parents' incubator, modify after 1 hour, remove residual solution, in fume hood, place 30 minutesAfter, microwell array filter membrane 2.3 is fixed on cover 2.4 by seal washer 9;
3) blood sample processing: get respectively 5 milliliters of normal person's blood samples, 4 milliliters of PBS solution, containThere is 1 milliliter of the PBS solution of rectum cancer cell HT29, and mix;
4) cell capture: the cover 2.4 that microwell array filter membrane 2.3 is housed is threaded onto by screw threadOn bobbin 2.1, guarantee sealing, the PBS solution that 10ml is contained to rectum cancer cell HT29Inject in enclosed cavity 3, injection tube 2 is slowly advanced into 1 bottom;
5) cell is fixed: after cell capture completes, take off cover 2.4 and microwell array filterFilm 2.3, the paraformaldehyde solution that is 4% by concentration is consolidated the HT29 cell being captured on filmFixed;
6) cell dyeing: cell dyeing: add successively 0.2% the penetrating liquid of Triton-Xl00 and1% bovine serum albumin(BSA) is to the cell pre-treatment of dyeing, then will have fluorescein-labeled anti-Body is placed on film, and makes it to tie mutually with the specific antigen of cell surface or the cancer markers of cellClose;
7) imaging and analysis: thin to the HT29 cell of catching on filter membrane with fluorescence microscopeBorn of the same parents carry out imaging and analyze number and the corresponding capture rate of the HT29 cell of catching.
The HT29 cell fluorescence that Figure 11 catches after by filter membrane for blood sample. DAPI markFor all cells core, what CK identified is HT29 cytokeratin, and what CD45 identified is white thinBorn of the same parents, Merge is the constitutional diagram of DAPI, CK and CD45. Length of the scale is 100 microns.
Other unspecified part is prior art. Although above-described embodiment is to the present inventionMade detailed description, but it is only the present invention's part embodiment, instead of all realExecute example, people can also obtain other enforcement according to the present embodiment under without creative prerequisiteExample, these embodiment belong to protection domain of the present invention.