(19)

(11)

EP 0 873 098 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.10.1998 Bulletin 1998/44 (21) Application number: 97900326.0 (22) Date of filing: 13.01.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61F 13/ 02( . ) A61F 13/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/000077 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/025012 (17.07.1997 Gazette 1997/31)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE (30) Priority: 12.01.1996 GB 19960000607 11.05.1996 GB 19960009916 (71) Applicant: Smith & Nephew plc London WC2R 3BP (GB)	(72) Inventor: WARD, William, John Hull HU5 3JP (GB) (74) Representative: Draggett, Peter Thornton  Group Patents & Trade Marks Dept., Smith & Nephew Group Research Centre, York Science Park Heslington, York Y010 5DF Heslington, York Y010 5DF (GB)