(19)

(11)

EP 0 556 331 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.08.1993 Bulletin 1993/34 (21) Application number: 92901340.0 (22) Date of filing: 08.11.1991

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 33/ 532( . ) G01N 33/ 58( . ) G01N 33/ 543( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1991/008360 (87) International publication number: WO 1992/008979 (29.05.1992 Gazette 1992/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE (30) Priority: 09.11.1990 US 19900611235 (71) Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500 (US)

(72) Inventors: HU, Roger, C. Libertyville, IL 60048 (US) ROBERTSON, Eugene, F. Lindenhurst, IL 60046 (US) MONTGOMERY, Deborah, M. Vernon Hills, IL 60061 (US) PETERSON, Bryan, C. Lake Zurich, IL 60047 (US) ALI, Akhtar Libertyville, IL 60048 (US) MACHOWIAK, James, P. Grayslake, IL 60030 (US) GUIDINGER, Peggy, L. Chicago, IL 60618 (US) KHALIL, Omar, S. Libertyville, IL 60048 (US) (74) Representative: Modiano, Guido, Dr.-Ing., et al  Modiano, Josif, Pisanty & Staub, Baaderstrasse 3 D-80469 München D-80469 München (DE)