(19)

(11)

EP 0 932 427 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.08.1999 Bulletin 1999/31 (21) Application number: 98936936.0 (22) Date of filing: 22.07.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61M 5/ 46( . ) A61N 1/ 30( . ) A61N 1/ 05( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1998/015050 (87) International publication number: WO 1999/004850 (04.02.1999 Gazette 1999/05)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE ES FR GB IT LU NL (30) Priority: 22.07.1997 US 19970898410 (71) Applicant: Emed Corporation St. Paul, MN 55112 (US)	(72) Inventors: WALSH, Robert, G. Lakeville, MN 55044 (US) VANDEN HOEK, John, C. Elk River, MN 55330 (US) CONRAD-VLASAK, Deena St. Paul, MN 55119 (US) DOCKTER, John Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 (US) (74) Representative: Ottevangers, Sietse Ulbe  Vereenigde Octrooibureaux Nieuwe Parklaan 97 2587 BN 's-Gravenhage 2587 BN 's-Gravenhage (NL)