(19)

(11)

EP 0 942 760 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.09.1999 Bulletin 1999/38 (21) Application number: 97950809.0 (22) Date of filing: 05.12.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61M 5/ 32( . ) A61M 5/ 158( . ) A61M 25/ 01( . ) A61B 5/ 15( . ) A61M 25/ 06( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/022156 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/024493 (11.06.1998 Gazette 1998/23)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 05.12.1996 US 19960761088 19.05.1997 US 19970047110P 12.11.1997 US 19970065348P (71) Applicant: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc. Wilmington, DE 19801 (US)	(72) Inventors: BOTICH, Michael, J. Oxnard, CA 93030 (US) HALSETH, Thor, R. Simi Valley, CA 93065 (US) (74) Representative: Newby, John Ross  JY & GW Johnson, Kingsbourne House, 229-231 High Holborn London WC1V 7DP London WC1V 7DP (GB)