(19)

(11)

EP 0 836 422 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.04.1998 Bulletin 1998/17 (21) Application number: 96916426.0 (22) Date of filing: 08.03.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 04( . ) A61B 17/ 06( . ) A61B 17/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/001789 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/037594 (16.10.1997 Gazette 1997/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IE IT LI LU NL (71) Applicant: Greenstein, Robert J. Tenafly, NJ 07670-2615 (US)	(72) Inventor: Greenstein, Robert J. Tenafly, NJ 07670-2615 (US) (74) Representative: Gibbs, Christopher Stephen, et al  Haseltine Lake & Co., Imperial House, 15-19 Kingsway London WC2B 6UD London WC2B 6UD (GB)