(19)

(11)

EP 0 897 304 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.02.1999 Bulletin 1999/08 (21) Application number: 97917531.0 (22) Date of filing: 14.03.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61L 28/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/004171 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/038740 (23.10.1997 Gazette 1997/45)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT (30) Priority: 18.04.1996 GB 19960008033 (71) Applicant: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY St. Paul, Minnesota 55133-3427 (US)	(72) Inventors: BOOTH, Geoffrey G. Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5DJ (GB) CHOWDHURY, Dwan F.H. Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1PN (GB) (74) Representative: VOSSIUS & PARTNER  Postfach 86 07 67 81634 München 81634 München (DE)