(19)

(11)

EP 0 823 875 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.02.1998 Bulletin 1998/08 (21) Application number: 96915523.0 (22) Date of filing: 06.05.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G02B 1/ 10( . ) G02B 3/ 00( . ) B29D 11/ 00( . ) G02B 5/ 23( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/006348 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/034735 (07.11.1996 Gazette 1996/49)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE Designated Extension States: SI (30) Priority: 05.05.1995 US 19950435126 (71) Applicant: INNOTECH, Inc. Roanoke, VA 24012 (US)	(72) Inventors: GUPTA, Amitava Bethesda, MD 20814 (US) BLUM, Ronald, D. Roanoke, VA 24014 (US) IYER, Venkatramani, S. Roanoke, VA 24014 (US) (74) Representative: Mercer, Christopher Paul, et al  Carpmaels & Ransford 43, Bloomsbury Square London WC1A 2RA London WC1A 2RA (GB)