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(11)

EP 0 705 073 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.04.1996 Bulletin 1996/15 (21) Application number: 95917669.0 (22) Date of filing: 24.04.1995

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01B 17/ 00( . ) A61B 8/ 13( . ) G01N 29/ 06( . ) G01S 15/ 89( . ) A61B 8/ 00( . ) G01B 17/ 06( . ) G06T 11/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1995/005078 (87) International publication number: WO 1995/028883 (02.11.1995 Gazette 1995/47)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 25.04.1994 US 19940232740 25.04.1994 US 19940232741 (71) Applicants: THERMOTREX CORPORATION San Diego, CA 92121-2306 (US) Spivey, Brett, A. Encinitas, CA 92024 (US) Martin, Peter, J. Encinitas, CA 92024 (US) Palmer, Douglas, A. San Diego, CA 92107 (US) Otto, Gregory San Diego, CA 92129 (US) Cram, Robert M Romona, CA 92065 (US)

(72) Inventors: SPIVEY, Brett, A. Encinitas, CA 92024 (US) MARTIN, Peter, J. Encinitas, CA 92024 (US) PALMER, Douglas, A. San Diego, CA 92107 (US) OTTO, Gregory San Diego, CA 92129 (US) CRAM, Robert, M. Romona, CA 92065 (US) (74) Representative: Deans, Michael John Percy, et al  Lloyd Wise, Tregear & Co., Commonwealth House, 1-19 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1LW London WC1A 1LW (GB)