(19)

(11)

EP 0 944 714 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 29.09.1999 Bulletin 1999/39 (21) Application number: 97947790.0 (22) Date of filing: 05.12.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C12M 3/ 00( . ) C12M 1/ 24( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/003370 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/024880 (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 GB 19960025301 (71) Applicant: Smith & Nephew plc London WC2R 3BP (GB)

(72) Inventors: DREWERY, George Robert York YO4 3HT (GB) RICHARDSON, Mark Christopher Huby, York, North Yorkshire YO6 1HS (GB) BLOTT, Patrick, Lewis York YO42 4ER (GB) MATTHEWS, Jane, Bridget York YO2 1DP (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)