CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present patent application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application number 62/666,482 filed May 3, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to pharmacologically active ingredients present in a cannabis biomass, and more particularly related to a method and apparatus for deriving a final form of cannabis extract with active cannabinoids suitable for use in food products.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] Cannabis is a genus belonging to the family of cannabaceae. Three common species include Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. The genus has been indigenous to Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Cannabis has a long history being used for medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. The importance of cannabis in therapeutics is emphasized by the ever-increasing number of research publication related to the new indications for cannabis. For example, pharmaceutical research companies are presently developing new natural cannabinoid formulations and delivery systems to meet various regulatory requirements. Cannabis is known, for example, to be capable of relieving nausea (such as that accompanying

chemotherapy), pain, vomiting, spasticity in multiple sclerosis, and increase hunger in anorexia.

[0004] The term cannabis or "cannabis biomass" encompasses the Cannabis sativa plant and also variants thereof, including subspecies sativa, indica and ruderalis, cannabis cultivars, and cannabis chemovars (varieties characterised by chemical composition), which naturally contain different amounts of the individual cannabinoids, and also plants which are the result of genetic crosses. The term "cannabis biomass" is to be interpreted accordingly as encompassing plant material derived from one or more cannabis plants.

[0005] Cannabis biomass contains a unique class of terpeno-phenolic compounds known as cannabinoids or phytocannabinoids, which have been extensively studied since the discovery of the chemical structure of tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC), commonly known as THC. Over 113 phytocannabinoids have been identified. Such cannabinoids are generally produced by glandular trichomes that occur on most aerial surfaces of the plant. The cannabinoids are biosynthesized in the plant in acidic forms known as acidic cannabinoids. The acidic cannabinoids may be slowly decarboxylated during drying of harvested plant material. Decarboxylation may be hastened by heating the cannabis biomass, such as when the cannabis biomass is smoked or vaporized.

[0006] The principle cannabinoids present in cannabis are the Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Delta-9-THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). The Delta-9-THCA does not have its own psychoactive properties as is, but may be decarboxylated to Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9- THC), which is the most potent psychoactive cannabinoid among known cannabinoids. The neutral form of CBDA is cannabidiol (CBD), which is a major cannabinoid substituent in hemp cannabis. CBD is non-psychoactive and is widely known to have therapeutic potential for a variety of medical conditions. The proportion of cannabinoids in the plant may vary from species to species, as well as vary within the same species at different times and seasons. Furthermore, the proportion of cannabinoids in a plant may further depend upon soil, climate, and harvesting methods. Thus, based on the proportion of the cannabinoids present in a plant variety, the psychoactive and medicinal effects obtained from different plant varieties may vary.

[0007] Depending upon the psychoactive and medicinal effects obtained from different varieties of the cannabis plant or the different methods of cultivation for cannabis, a specific variety of cannabis may be considered more effective or potent than others (e.g., in providing the desired physiological effect at a desired level in an individual). Similarly, some specific combinations of pharmacologically active compounds in a cannabis variety may be more desirable in comparison to other varieties. When preparing cannabis plant extracts, the retention of the full mix of cannabinoids present in the original plant may be desirable for some varieties, while other varieties may be preferred in altered form due to the variances in the specific cannabinoid composition and concentrations. Such variance is further exacerbated by the presence of certain terpenoid or phenolic compounds, which may have pharmacological activity of their own and which may be desired at different concentrations in different combinations.

[0008] Historical delivery methods have involved smoking ( e.g ., combusting) the dried cannabis plant material. Smoking results, however, in adverse effects on the respiratory system via the production of potentially toxic substances. In addition, smoking is an inefficient mechanism that delivers a variable mixture of active and inactive substances, many of which may be undesirable. Alternative delivery methods such as ingesting typically require extracts of the cannabis biomass (also known as cannabis concentrates or cannabis oils). Often, cannabis extracts are formulated using any convenient pharmacologically acceptable diluents, carriers or excipients to produce a composition. Raw cannabis biomass may also be more susceptible to possible biological contaminants such as fungi and bacteria than extracts.

[0009] Previously, compounds may be extracted from cannabis by using conventional methods of extraction, such as maceration, decoction, or solvent extraction. Such conventional methods may suffer from various limitations and disadvantages (e.g., extraction times may be very high so as to be impractical to scale). For example, subjecting the biomass to a prolonged extraction process may risk modification of the plant profile, negative effects on terpenes, or otherwise cause other undesirable effects that lower the quality or purity of the end product. Traditional methods of extraction may therefore hamper quality and purity of the final product. Further, final concentrated or purified active compounds are often diluted or dispersed into an oil, fat or other lipid-based excipient or carrier to a desired concentration for certain uses (e.g., in a pharmaceutical, food, or cosmetic formulation).

[0010] Other methods such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) make use of supercritical fluids to selectively remove compounds from solid, semisolid, and liquid matrices in a batch process. SFE is, however, dangerous and requires very high pressures to be employed (> 70 atm).

In addition, SFE is also inefficient and therefore not conducive to high throughputs, as well as environmentally damaging (e.g., producing large amounts of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide as a by-product).

[0011] Meanwhile, traditional methods of extracting inactive cannabinoids from a raw cannabis biomass typically involve subjecting the raw cannabis biomass to a heating process in order to decarboxylate the cannabinoids prior to extraction.

[0012] Thus, there is a need for improved methods and systems to obtain higher quality and quantity of cannabis extract from a given biomass, as well as a need to provide pharmacological formulations of cannabis that will allow alternative delivery methods besides smoking and that will allow for control and consistency of dosage. There is also a need for compositions of cannabis extracts suitable for usage in food products that can deliver specific stable doses of cannabinoids.

SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention provide extraction methods for usage of cannabis extracts in food products. Exemplary methods for extracting pharmacologically active compounds from a biomass may therefore include preparing cannabis biomass, adding a solvent to the prepared cannabis biomass to form a slurry where the solvent may be a carrier fluid that is suitable for inclusion in a final formulation, and extracting target compounds from the slurry using a continuous flow extraction apparatus, and separating a spent biomass from the solvent by a downstream process. Successively, a final form of cannabis extract suitable for use in food with active cannabinoids may be obtained and further formulated and processed to form a final food product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of an exemplary system for obtaining cannabis extracts for usage in food products.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary methods for obtaining cannabis extracts for usage in food products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for extracting pharmacologically active compounds from a biomass may therefore include preparing cannabis biomass, adding a solvent to the prepared cannabis biomass to form a slurry where the solvent may be a carrier fluid that is suitable for inclusion in a final formulation, extracting target compounds from the slurry using a continuous flow extraction apparatus, and separating a spent biomass from the solvent by a downstream process. Such extracted target compounds may include Delta-9-THC, Delta-9-THCA, CBDA, CBD, other cannabinoids, and terpenes.

[00171 The term "pharmacologically active ingredients" may henceforth be used

interchangeably with the term "target compounds." One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in the processes and methods may be implemented in different orders. Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only provided as examples, and some of the steps and operations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, or expanded into additional steps and operations without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

[0018] Methods of obtaining cannabis extracts for use in food may be described with reference to various units shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the flow chart 200 of FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of an exemplary system 100 for obtaining cannabis extracts for use in food, and FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 200 for obtaining cannabis extracts for use in food.

[0019] System 100 of FIG. 1 includes a raw biomass holding chamber 102, into which a raw biomass may be provided in step 202 of FIG. 2. The raw biomass may be present in the form of dried, ground, non-decarboxylated flowers (buds) of cannabis plants. Any part of the cannabis biomass that contains cannabinoids can be used. In some embodiments, the average particle size of the raw biomass may lie between 0.5 - 10 mm. The raw biomass may contain target compounds that need to be extracted. In one embodiment, the raw biomass may be heated to approximately 125° C for approximately 45 minutes to decarboxylate cannabinoids carboxylic acids present in the biomass. The mass of decarboxylated cannabis following such treatment may be reduced (e.g., approximately 11.7% weight loss). In an embodiment, the raw biomass may be dried, non- decarboxylated cannabis biomass. In another embodiment, the raw biomass may be fresh, non- dried, non-decarboxylated cannabis biomass.

[0020] Successively in step 204, the raw biomass may be sampled and analyzed in sampling chamber 120. In a preferred embodiment, the raw biomass may be analyzed to determine cannabinoid content and a cannabinoid profile of the raw biomass. Such analysis may be performed using an Ultra High performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass

Spectrometry (UPLC-MS) detection technique. Further, a terpene profile of the raw biomass may be determined using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Detection (GC-MS). The sampling techniques may help in determining the cannabinoid content and the cannabinoid profile of the raw biomass (e.g. THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA and total cannabinoids present in the raw biomass).

[0021] Further in step 206, the raw biomass may be ground into small particles to obtain a prepared biomass in biomass preparation chamber 104. The prepared biomass may then be provided from biomass preparation chamber 104 to a prepared biomass holding chamber 106.

[0022] The prepared biomass may be used to form a slurry in step 208. The slurry may be formed in a slurry formation chamber 108 where one or more solvents may be added to the prepared biomass from a solvent holding chamber 110. The solvent added to the prepared biomass mass may be selected with different dielectric and solvent parameter properties. The solvent added to the raw biomass mass may be selected with different dielectric and solvent parameter properties. The solvent may be selected from an alcohol group, alkane group, and ketone group, or mixtures of such with water. Further, the solvent may be a carrier fluid such as a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), com oil, safflower oil, borage oil, flax oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, palm oil, avocado oil, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, medium chain triglycerides (MCT), long chain tryglycerides, lecithin, limonene, essential oils of spices, herbs, or other plants, fish oil, glycerol, glycols, or mixtures thereof. The raw biomass may be combined with the solvent to form the slurry. The solvent-to-raw biomass ratio may be maintained at 10 1/kg to ease pumping operation of the slurry.

[0023] Thereafter, the slurry may be transferred from the slurry formation chamber 108 to an extraction chamber 112 where such slurry is subject to heat at step 210. The slurry may be transported using a set of mechanical conveyors (e.g. a slurry pump, screw conveyor worm gear). In the extraction chamber 112, the slurry may be subjected to a thermal process, such as provided by a microwave generator 114. In one embodiment, the slurry may be transported into an extractor. The extractor may transport the slurry through a chamber (i.e. a tube or pipe). At least one portion of the chamber may be microwave transparent. This microwave transparent portion may allow microwaves, generated using a magnetron to pass through and heat the slurry inside the chamber. The slurry may be heated to a certain temperature by exposing the slurry to the microwave to a predefined time with a predefined microwave energy density range. In a preferred embodiment, the slurry may be heated to a temperature range of 15 - 70 °C with a contact time of 1 - 30 minutes, and microwave energy density range of 0.1 - 10 kW/kg.

[0024] Post heating the slurry and extraction of compounds from the biomass, the now-spent biomass and solvent(s) may be transferred to separation chamber 116, where the slurry is subject to filtration and separation at step 212. Such filtration and separation within filtration unit 116 may result in isolating the slurry components from each other: the spent biomass and the solvent(s) containing the extracted compounds. Once isolated, the spent biomass and the solvent(s) containing the extracted compounds may be transferred into spent biomass storage unit 118 and solvent recovery chamber 122, respectively. The separation process may be performed using one or more of several methods, such as filtration, centrifugation, and other similar processes. In a preferred embodiment, the separation process may include use of a filter press.

[0025] In an embodiment, the spent biomass may be sampled at step 214. Sampling of the spent biomass may be performed in a sampling chamber 120. The spent biomass may be sampled and analyzed to determine remaining cannabinoid content and cannabinoid profile. The spent biomass may be sampled and analyzed using several methods. The analysis may be performed using an Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry detection (UPLC-MS). Further, terpene profile of the raw biomass may be determined using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Detection (GC-MS). The sampling and analytical techniques may help in determining cannabinoid content and profile of the spent biomass (e.g., THCA, THC, CBDA, CBD, and total cannabinoids). [0026] Post sampling and analysis of the spent biomass, waste spent biomass may be incinerated or mixed with a deactivating agent by a disposal system 128. In one case, clay may be used as the deactivating agent.

[00271 Post separation from the spent biomass, the solvent may be recovered from the solvent / extract mixture and a desolventized active cannabinoid extract may be obtained at step 218. The desolventized extract may be provided to the formulation chamber 124. The solvent may be recovered from the desolventized extract by an evaporation or distillation process and stored in the solvent holding chamber 110. In a preferred embodiment, separation may be effected by thin film evaporation such as wiped film evaporation or by short-path distillation. The separation may be effected under vacuum. The solvent may be used in another extraction processes. The extracted active cannabinoid extract fluid may be present in the form of a resin of pure active cannabinoids. The extract active cannabinoid extract fluid may be stored in the formulation chamber 124.

[0028] In some embodiments, the solvent may not be recovered from the solvent / extract mixture. In these embodiments, the solvent may be a carrier fluid such as a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), com oil, safflower oil, borage oil, flax oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, palm oil, avocado oil, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, medium chain triglycerides (MCT), long chain tryglycerides, lecithin, limonene, essential oils of spices, herbs, or other plants, fish oil, glycerol, glycols, or mixtures thereof. The extract active cannabionoid extract fluid contained in the carrier fluid may be stored in the formulation chamber 124.

[0029] In some embodiments, a decarboxylation unit may be included after the formulation chamber 124. The decarboxylation unit may be used if the biomass from the raw biomass storage unit 102 had not been previously decarboxylated. The active cannabinoid extract fluid may be heated in a heating apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the heating apparatus may be a microwave heating apparatus. The microwaves generated using a magnetron may heat the formulated extract inside the microwave heating apparatus. The fluid may be heated to a certain temperature by exposing the fluid to the microwave for a predefined time with a predefined microwave energy range. The heating of the fluid may transform the acidic cannabinoids into their active (e.g. neutral) form. In other embodiments, the heating apparatus may be a conventional oven or oil baths, using the temperature range 80°C- 125°C for a time range of 30-300 minutes. In a preferred embodiment, the heating will be done at 100°C for 120 minutes.

[0030] Thereafter, sampling and analysis of active cannabinoid extract fluid may be performed. Sampling of the active cannabinoid extract fluid may be performed in the sampling unit 120. The active cannabinoid extract fluid may be analyzed using several techniques. In a preferred embodiment, analysis of the active cannabinoid extract fluid may be performed to determine cannabinoid content and cannabinoid profile. The analysis may be performed using an Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry detection (UPLC-MS). Terpene profile of the raw biomass may be determined using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Detection (GC-MS). The sampling techniques may help determine the content and profile of the final formulated extract (e.g. THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA and total cannabinoids).

[0031] Successively, a food liquid may be added at step 220 to the extracted active cannabinoid extract fluid to form a product base. In one embodiment, a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), such as coconut oil may be used as the food liquid. Coconut oil may contain over 90% fatty acids. The fatty acids present in the coconut oil may be saturated, thus making the coconut oil resistant to heat. The oil may be semi-solid at room temperature and may last for a long duration without spoilage. The coconut oil also has health benefits unto itself. Coconut oil is rich in a fatty acid called lauric acid, which may improve cholesterol and help kill bacteria and other pathogens. The fats in coconut oil may also boost metabolism and increase feelings of fullness compared to other fats. Other food liquids may be selected, for e.g. butter, olive oil, and animal fats like lards, tallows, and bacon drippings, palm oils, avocado oil, fish oil, flax oil, canola oil, nut oils, seed oils, and vegetable oils. The food liquid may be added to the extracted active cannabinoid extract fluid to form a liquid fluid product base carrier fluid. The liquid fluid product base carrier fluid may be stored in a product holding chamber 126.

[0032] Further, a final food product that includes the active cannabinoids may be obtained at step 222 and stored in a final product holding chamber 128. The final liquid food may be blended or mixed for consistency. The final liquid food with active cannabinoids may be used as an additive, for instance in a food product. In one embodiment, the food product may be a brownie; the additive that contains the active compounds of cannabis (e.g. THC and/or CBD) may be added to the brownie. The desired concentration may be calculated for the end product. To obtain the desired results, specific measurements and testing of a given food product, the concentration of certain ingredients in a given amount of food product, and the typical serving of the food product. A typical brownie may be, for example, a 5cm x 5cm x 2.5cm block, approximately 28 grams by weight, and containing 8g of total fat. The product may have a desired dose of 10 mg of THC. Therefore, assuming all 8 grams of fat in the final product may be derived from the carrier fluid (coconut oil), the concentration of the carrier fluid may be 10 mg of THC per 8 g of formulation, or 1.25 mg of THC per lg of formulation (0.125%).

[0033] Thereafter, sampling of formulated extract may be performed at step 224. Sampling of the formulated extract may be performed in the sampling unit 120. The formulated extract may be sampled and analyzed using several techniques. In a preferred embodiment, analysis of the final formulated extract may be performed to determine cannabinoid content and cannabinoid profile. The analysis may be performed using an Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry detection (UPLC-MS). Terpene profile of the raw biomass may be determined using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Detection (GC-MS). The sampling techniques may help determine the content and profile of the final formulated extract (e.g. THC, THC A, CBD, CBDA and total cannabinoids).

[0034] Table 1, provided below, illustrates percentage of THC in various phases of the extraction process described in FIG. 1. The desired concentration of THC in the liquid food product base was calculated based on a preferred recipe. According to the recipe a single brownie (21.6 g) contains 2.3 g of canola oil. The desired THC dose level per brownie was 10 mg. Therefore, assuming that all of the canola oil required for preparation of brownies was to be derived from the liquid food product base, the concentration of the carrier fluid would be 10 mg of THC per 2.3 g of formulation, or 4.3 mg THC per 1 g of formulation (0.43%). The prepared biomass consisted of dried, decarboxylated cannabis with an average particle size of 10 mm. The prepared biomass had a THC concentration of 13.7%. Upon exiting the extractor, the spent biomass may be separated from the solvent and extract mixture ("miscella") using one or more of several separation methods, which may be, for example, filtration, centrifuge, etc. The solvent may then be evaporated out of the miscella using an evaporation process (e.g. vacuum evaporation). In one case the desolventized extract in the active cannabinoid fluid unit had a THC concentration of 60%. The spent biomass in the spent biomass storage unit had a THC concentration of 0.8%.

Table 1

[0035] In some embodiments a higher concentration of cannabinoid in the liquid food base may be desired, for example for ease of handling, transport, storage capacity, etc. In one case, it was possible using the same system to produce liquid food base containing 3% THC. According to a recipe, a single brownie (18 g) contains 2.3 g of canola oil. The desired THC dosage level per brownie was 10 mg. Therefore, using 3% THC in canola oil as a liquid food base it was determined that 0.33 g of liquid food base would be required to prepare one brownie. In this case, canola oil was mixed with the liquid extract before solvent removal at a ratio 5:1 (w/w extract/canola oil). The canola oil may be mixed with cannabis extract also after solvent removal resulting in the same liquid food base containing 3% THC. The concentration of THC in final liquid food base may be confirmed using the sampling unit 120.

[0036] In another embodiment, the brownie recipe requires addition of 8 g of total fat per one brownie (28 grams). The product has a desired dose of 10 mg of THC. Therefore, assuming all 8 grams of fat in the final product may be derived from the carrier fluid (MCT oil), the concentration of the carrier fluid was 10 mg of THC per 8 g of formulation, or 1.25 mg of THC per lg of formulation (0.125%). The required amount of liquid food base was weighed and heated to 45-50 °C to allow proper mixing with MCT oil. The MCT oil was preheated to 45-50 °C and added to the extract at the calculated ratio: 99.8 g of MCT oil per every 100 g of formulation. In some embodiments, the MCT oil maybe mixed with extract also before or during solvent removal resulting in the same liquid food base containing 0.125% THC. The concentration of THC in final liquid food base may be confirmed using the sampling unit 120. [0037] The desolventized extract in the active carmabinoid fluid unit may be formulated into a final formulated liquid food with active cannabinoids using at least one of a plurality of formulation methods. Based on the analysis of THC concentration in the active carmabinoid fluid (i.e. 60% THC) the canola oil was mixed with the desolventized extract at a ratio 1:1.25 (w/w extract/canola oil). In some embodiments, the canola oil may be mixed with cannabis extract prior to or during solvent removal in the solvent recovery unit, resulting in the same liquid food base containing 0.43% THC. The concentration of THC in final liquid food base may be confirmed using the sampling unit 120.

[0038] Table 2, provided below, illustrates examples of dosage recommendations based on the type of patient that may use the quantity and THC percentage from FIG. 2. The THC percentage and quantity may depend upon the final formulated extract from the process described in FIG. 1 and the detailed breakdown shown in FIG. 2. The patient type is an example of the ranges of medical history that a potential patient may have in order to better judge the interaction or tolerance they will have with THC. In another embodiment, the graphic may also be used in order to determine the interaction or tolerance of recreational users. The recommended dosage may be based upon the patient type, lower dosages may be recommended for patients that have no-to-few interactions with cannabis and higher dosages may be recommended for patients that have had many interactions with cannabis. This may be used to provide patients with the correct amount of THC in order to achieve the desired effect, it is a suggestion within the field to start on lower dosages and slowly build up the dosage until the desired effect is reached. The example quantity displays an amount (in milliliters) of the final formulated extract that is within the patients recommended dosage range, the example THC dosage displays the amount (in milligrams) of THC in the example quantity. For example, a patient may be medical user (which is most likely daily usage of THC) has a recommended dosage of 10 to 15 mg, using the final formulated extract from FIG. 2, the patient may use 0.5 milliliters of that final formulated extract in order to consume 15 milligrams of THC.

Table 2

[0039] Table 3, provided below, illustrates the various quantities that may be used when applying the final formulated extract to various types of edibles in order to achieve a specific recommended dosage (in this example the THC dosages are provided for medical users or daily users of THC). The figure also displays when preparing batches of edibles, the necessary quantity of the final formulated extract in order to achieve the proper dosage for each serving the batch will produce. For example, if the type of edible is a dessert such as a brownie and the quantity of the edible is 240 grams may produce 10 servings (or 10 brownies each 24 grams), the desired THC dosage (per serving) may be 15 milligrams and the amount of extract needed per serving may be 0.5 grams (i.e. the total amount of the final formulated extract needed for the batch is 5 grams and the total amount of THC in the batch is 150 milligrams). This downstream process begins by determining the desired THC dosage (per serving, if creating a batch of edibles), and dividing the THC dosage by THC percentage of the final formulated extract (in this case the THC percentage was 3%), which may result in the amount needed from the final formulated extract for each serving, and this number is multiplied by the amount of servings in order to determine the total amount of the final formulated extract.

Table 3

*Dosages displayed are examples of per serving for Medical Users (10-15mg).

[0040] The foregoing detailed description of the technology has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The described embodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the technology, its practical application, and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the technology be defined by the claim.