(19)

(11)

EP 0 758 873 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 26.02.1997 Bulletin 1997/09 (21) Application number: 95919055.0 (22) Date of filing: 05.05.1995

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61F 2/ 30( . ) A61F 2/ 38( . ) A61B 17/ 00( . ) A61B 17/ 68( . ) A61F 2/ 00( . ) A61F 2/ 46( . ) A61F 2/ 34( . ) A61F 2/ 40( . ) A61B 17/ 17( . ) A61B 17/ 86( . ) A61F 2/ 32( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1995/005710 (87) International publication number: WO 1995/030389 (16.11.1995 Gazette 1995/49)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 09.05.1994 US 19940239972 (71) Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW RICHARDS, INC. Memphis, Tennessee 38116 (US)	(72) Inventors: RYAN, Dawn, M. San Antonio, TX 78209 (US) SCHRYVER, Jeff Cordova, TN 38018 (US) SHEA, Jeff Memphis, TN 38120 (US) (74) Representative: Gilholm, Stephen Philip  Corporate Patents Department Smith & Nephew Group Research Centre York Science Park Heslington York YO1 5DF Heslington York YO1 5DF (GB)