(19)

(11)

EP 0 448 606 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.10.1991 Bulletin 1991/40 (21) Application number: 90900694.0 (22) Date of filing: 13.12.1989

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 1/ 00( . ) A61B 1/ 31( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1989/005552 (87) International publication number: WO 1990/006717 (28.06.1990 Gazette 1990/15)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE (30) Priority: 13.12.1988 US 19880284067 (71) Applicant: MERIX CORPORATION Needham Heights, MA 02194 (US)	(72) Inventors: BLANCO, Ernest, E. Belmont, MA 02178 (US) MIX, Thomas, W. Wellesley, MA 02181 (US) ROSSKOTHEN, Norman Canton, MA 02021 (US) HERNANDEZ, Maria, L. Palatine, IL 60074 (US) VINEYARD, Gordon, C. Chestnut Hill, MA 02167 (US) (74) Representative: Deans, Michael John Percy  Lloyd Wise, Tregear & CO. Norman House 105-109 Strand London WC2R OAE London WC2R OAE (GB)