(19)

(11)

EP 0 876 169 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 11.11.1998 Bulletin 1998/46 (21) Application number: 97901998.0 (22) Date of filing: 10.01.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61M 1/ 36( . ) F28F 9/ 013( . ) F28F 1/ 12( . ) F28F 21/ 06( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/000480 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/026032 (24.07.1997 Gazette 1997/32)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IE IT NL SE (30) Priority: 18.01.1996 US 19960591244 (71) Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55432 (US)	(72) Inventors: PALERMO, Henry, W. Burbank, CA 91506 (US) HIER, Peter, J. Castle Rock, CO 80104 (US) KUBISA, Peter, Z. Littleton, CO 80125 (US) (74) Representative: Hughes, Andrea Michelle  Frank B. Dehn & Co., European Patent Attorneys, 179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)