(19)

(11)

EP 0 932 379 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.08.1999 Bulletin 1999/31 (21) Application number: 97937910.0 (22) Date of filing: 21.08.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 16( . ) A61F 2/ 36( . ) A61F 2/ 46( . ) A61F 2/ 00( . ) A61F 2/ 32( . ) A61B 17/ 17( . ) A61F 2/ 40( . ) A61B 17/ 86( . ) A61F 2/ 30( . ) A61F 2/ 34( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/NZ1997/000100 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/007393 (26.02.1998 Gazette 1998/08)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 21.08.1996 NZ 19960299213 (71) Applicants: INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH LIMITED Lower Hutt, Wellington 6009 (NZ) Sullivan, John Martin Patrick Hamilton 2001 (NZ)	(72) Inventors: SULLIVAN, John, Martin, Patrick Hamilton 2001 (NZ) ANDERSON, Iain, Alexander Auckland (NZ) WYATT, Timothy, Peter Auckland (NZ) (74) Representative: Harrison Goddard Foote  Belmont House, 20 Wood Lane Leeds LS6 2AE Leeds LS6 2AE (GB)