(19)

(11)

EP 0 850 023 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 01.07.1998 Bulletin 1998/27 (21) Application number: 96928942.0 (22) Date of filing: 16.08.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 18/ 16( . ) A61B 18/ 18( . ) A61N 5/ 04( . ) A61B 17/ 24( . ) A61B 18/ 14( . ) A61N 1/ 40( . ) A61B 17/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/013419 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/006741 (27.02.1997 Gazette 1997/10)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE DK ES FR GB IT NL SE (30) Priority: 18.08.1995 US 19950516779 03.05.1996 US 19960642053 (71) Applicant: Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (US)	(72) Inventors: EDWARDS, Stuart, D. Portola Valley, CA 94028 (US) GOUGH, Edward, J. Menlo Park, CA 94025 (US) DOUGLASS, David Woodside, CA 94062 (US) (74) Representative: Holmes, Miles Keeton, et al  D. YOUNG & CO., 21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)