(19)

(11)

EP 0 923 737 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 23.06.1999 Bulletin 1999/25 (21) Application number: 97937110.0 (22) Date of filing: 05.08.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 33/ 53( . ) G01N 33/ 543( . ) B01J 19/ 24( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/013742 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/008095 (26.02.1998 Gazette 1998/08)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL (30) Priority: 23.08.1996 US 19960702336 (71) Applicant: Abbott Laboratories Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500 (US)

(72) Inventors: OSTROW, David, H. Lake Zurich, IL 60047 (US) COHEN, Larry, M. Deerfield, IL 60015 (US) EBLE, Kim, S. Grayslake, IL 60030 (US) MANEY, Peter, J. Highland Park, IL 60035 (US) STECKEL, Eric, W. Lake Bluff, IL 60044 (US) RUBIN, Brian, L. Libertyville, IL 60048 (US) WITTMAN, Craig, A. Glen Ellyn, IL 61037 (US) JOHNSON, Paul, A. Northbrook, IL 60062 (US) (74) Representative: Modiano, Guido, Dr.-Ing., et al  Modiano, Josif, Pisanty & Staub, Baaderstrasse 3 80469 München 80469 München (DE)