(19)

(11)

EP 0 716 581 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.06.1996 Bulletin 1996/25 (21) Application number: 94926682.0 (22) Date of filing: 31.08.1994

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 56( . ) A61B 17/ 80( . ) A61F 2/ 30( . ) A61B 17/ 00( . ) A61F 2/ 02( . ) A61B 17/ 04( . ) A61B 17/ 86( . ) A61L 31/ 00( . ) A61B 17/ 68( . ) A61F 2/ 46( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1994/009979 (87) International publication number: WO 1995/006439 (09.03.1995 Gazette 1995/11)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT (30) Priority: 31.08.1993 US 19930115405 (71) Applicant: DEPUY INC. Warsaw, Indiana 46581-0988 (US)	(72) Inventor: BOLESKY, Richard, C. Warsaw, IN 46580 (US) (74) Representative: Pfeifer, Hans-Peter, Dr., Dr. H.-P. Pfeifer Dr. P. Jany, Patentanwälte  Beiertheimer Allee 19 76137 Karlsruhe 76137 Karlsruhe (DE)