(19)

(11)

EP 0 601 025 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 15.06.1994 Bulletin 1994/24 (21) Application number: 92918434.0 (22) Date of filing: 24.08.1992

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 18/ 20( . ) A61F 7/ 12( . ) A61M 25/ 10( . ) A61N 5/ 06( . ) A61B 17/ 22( . ) A61B 18/ 00( . ) A61B 19/ 00( . ) A61M 29/ 02( . ) A61N 5/ 04( . ) A61F 2/ 84( . ) A61M 25/ 00( . ) A61N 5/ 02( . ) A61B 17/ 00( . ) A61B 17/ 34( . ) A61B 18/ 22( . ) A61M 3/ 02( . ) A61N 5/ 00( . ) A61N 5/ 067( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1992/001552 (87) International publication number: WO 1993/004727 (18.03.1993 Gazette 1993/08)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL SE (30) Priority: 30.08.1991 GB 19910018670 (71) Applicant: AMERICAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343 (US)	(72) Inventors: McNICHOLAS, Thomas A. Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 9EW (GB) MAKOWER, Joshua Nanuet, NY 10954 (US) (74) Representative: Bowman, Paul Alan, et al  LLOYD WISE, TREGEAR & CO. Norman House 105-109 Strand London WC2R OAE London WC2R OAE (GB)