(19)

(11)

EP 0 725 598 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.08.1996 Bulletin 1996/33 (21) Application number: 94932096.0 (22) Date of filing: 28.10.1994

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 04( . ) A61F 2/ 08( . ) A61B 17/ 16( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1994/012389 (87) International publication number: WO 1995/011631 (04.05.1995 Gazette 1995/19)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 28.10.1993 US 19930142058 29.04.1994 US 19940235345 (71) Applicant: Pierce, Javin Stowe, VT 05672 (US)	(72) Inventor: Pierce, Javin Stowe, VT 05672 (US) (74) Representative: Signore, Robert  c/o SOCIETE DE PROTECTION DES INVENTIONS 25, rue de Ponthieu 75008 Paris 75008 Paris (FR)