(19)

(11)

EP 0 869 759 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.10.1998 Bulletin 1998/42 (21) Application number: 96939230.0 (22) Date of filing: 26.11.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61J 1/ 06( . ) A61M 5/ 24( . ) A61M 5/ 19( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1996/002917 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/020538 (12.06.1997 Gazette 1997/25)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 06.12.1995 GB 19950024961 03.08.1996 GB 19960016359 (71) Applicant: NMT Group PLC Livingston, Scotland EH53 0TH (GB)	(72) Inventor: McMAHON, Keith Herd Younie Rosyth, Fife KY11 2RQ (GB) (74) Representative: Lawrence, John Gordon, et al  McNeight & Lawrence Regent House Heaton Lane Stockport, Cheshire SK4 1BS Stockport, Cheshire SK4 1BS (GB)