(19)

(11)

EP 0 936 928 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.08.1999 Bulletin 1999/34 (21) Application number: 97944996.0 (22) Date of filing: 10.10.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61F 13/ 00( . ) A61L 15/ 22( . ) A61L 15/ 60( . ) A61L 15/ 16( . ) A61L 15/ 24( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/002803 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/017328 (30.04.1998 Gazette 1998/17)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE (30) Priority: 22.10.1996 GB 19960021956 (71) Applicant: Smith & Nephew plc London WC2R 3BP (GB)	(72) Inventors: HULME, Roderick, John Beverley HU17 8UQ (GB) WARD, William, John Hull HU5 3JP (GB) BOLTON, Paul Hull HU7 4TE (GB) SPURGIN, Steven Robert East Riding of Yorkshire HU17 8YD (GB) (74) Representative: Draggett, Peter Thornton  Group Patents & Trade Marks Dept., Smith & Nephew Group Research Centre, York Science Park Heslington, York Y010 5DF Heslington, York Y010 5DF (GB)