(19)

(11)

EP 0 836 458 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.04.1998 Bulletin 1998/17 (21) Application number: 97908346.0 (22) Date of filing: 14.03.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61F 5/ 441( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/000718 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/034549 (25.09.1997 Gazette 1997/41)

(84) Designated Contracting States: NL (30) Priority: 15.03.1996 GB 19960005438 (71) Applicant: WELLAND MEDICAL LIMITED Crawley, West Sussex RH10 2TU (GB)	(72) Inventors: SMITH, Rory, James, Maxwell Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 5EB (GB) GOCHER, Paul Horsham, W. Sussex RH13 7XQ (GB) (74) Representative: Hutchins, Michael Richard, et al  FRY HEATH & SPENCE The Old College 53 High Street Horley Surrey RH6 7BN Horley Surrey RH6 7BN (GB)