(19)
(11) EP 0 921 762 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication:
16.06.1999 Bulletin 1999/24

(21) Application number: 98907606.0

(22) Date of filing: 24.02.1998
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A61B 18/ 00( . )
A61B 17/ 00( . )
A61B 17/ 32( . )
A61B 19/ 00( . )
(86) International application number:
PCT/US1998/003580
(87) International publication number:
WO 1998/037819 (03.09.1998 Gazette 1998/35)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE ES FR GB IT NL

(30) Priority: 28.02.1997 US 19970808273

(71) Applicant: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
Cincinnati, OH 45242-2839 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • SMITH, Paul
    West Kingston, RI 02892 (US)
  • ESTABROOK, Brian
    Foxboro, MA 02035 (US)

(74) Representative: Mercer, Christopher Paul 
Carpmaels & Ransford 43, Bloomsbury Square
London WC1A 2RA
London WC1A 2RA (GB)

   


(54) PREVENTING REUSE OF SURGICAL DEVICES