Hi The libusb-documentation states that usb_claim_interface() (and thus usb_release_interface()) must be called when performing any operations related to his interface (usb_bulk_write() etc.).
In sanei_usb.c usb_claim_interface() is only called in usb_open(). I get somewhat further if I pad usb_bulk_write() and usb_bulk_read() with usb_claim_interface()/usb_release_interface(). Regards Beat H.