(19)

(11)

EP 0 703 747 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 03.04.1996 Bulletin 1996/14 (21) Application number: 94919483.0 (22) Date of filing: 14.06.1994

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G02B 23/ 24( . ) A61B 1/ 005( . ) H04N 13/ 00( . ) A61B 1/ 00( . ) A61B 1/ 04( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1994/006673 (87) International publication number: WO 1994/028783 (22.12.1994 Gazette 1994/28)

(84) Designated Contracting States: CH DE FR GB IT LI NL (30) Priority: 14.06.1993 US 19930076544 14.04.1994 US 19940227675 (71) Applicant: AMERICAN SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Chelmsford, MA 01824 (US)	(72) Inventors: CHALECKI, Christopher R. Haydenville, MA 01039 (US) GRIFFIN, Wayne P. Dracut, MA 01826 (US) WOODBURY, E. Arthur Boxford, MA 01921 (US) McKINLEY, Arthur C. Bradford, MA 01835 (US) McKINLEY, Harry R. Southampton, MA 01073 (US) (74) Representative: Wombwell, Francis, et al  Potts, Kerr & Co. 15, Hamilton Square Birkenhead Merseyside L41 6BR Birkenhead Merseyside L41 6BR (GB)