(19)

(11)

EP 0 869 746 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.10.1998 Bulletin 1998/42 (21) Application number: 96922553.0 (22) Date of filing: 19.06.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 24( . ) A61C 17/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/010759 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/022307 (26.06.1997 Gazette 1997/27)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 19.12.1995 US 19950048081 (71) Applicants: Potti, Dasan Salisbury, MD 21801 (US) Richter, Jon L. Ardmore, PA 19003 (US) Neufeld, Gordon Flourtown, PA 19031 (US)	(72) Inventors: Potti, Dasan Salisbury, MD 21801 (US) Richter, Jon L. Ardmore, PA 19003 (US) Neufeld, Gordon Flourtown, PA 19031 (US) (74) Representative: Koepe, Gerd L., Dipl.-Chem.  Blumbach, Kramer & Partner GbR, Patentanwälte, Radeckestrasse 43 81245 München 81245 München (DE)