(19)

(11)

EP 0 806 919 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.11.1997 Bulletin 1997/47 (21) Application number: 95937152.0 (22) Date of filing: 11.12.1995

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61F 2/ 30( . ) A61F 2/ 00( . ) A61F 2/ 34( . ) A61F 2/ 46( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/IB1995/001114 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/023457 (08.08.1996 Gazette 1996/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL SE (30) Priority: 31.01.1995 US 19950381788 (71) Applicant: HOWMEDICA INC. New York New York 10017 (US)	(72) Inventor: COLLAZO, Carlos, E. Ridgefield Park, NY 07660 (US) (74) Representative: Ruddock, Keith Stephen  Pfizer Limited, European Patent Department, Ramsgate Road Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ (GB)