(19)

(11)

EP 0 910 431 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.04.1999 Bulletin 1999/17 (21) Application number: 97927679.0 (22) Date of filing: 21.05.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61N 1/ 14( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/008586 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/000196 (08.01.1998 Gazette 1998/01)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT (30) Priority: 28.06.1996 US 19960670862 (71) Applicant: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY St. Paul, Minnesota 55133-3427 (US)	(72) Inventor: COX, Brian, M. Saint Paul, MN 55133-3427 (US) (74) Representative: Hilleringmann, Jochen, Dipl.-Ing., et al  Patentanwälte von Kreisler-Selting-Werner, Bahnhofsvorplatz 1 (Deichmannhaus) 50667 Köln 50667 Köln (DE)