(19)

(11)

EP 0 946 124 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 06.10.1999 Bulletin 1999/40 (21) Application number: 96915842.0 (22) Date of filing: 15.05.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 32( . ) A61B 18/ 12( . ) A61B 17/ 00( . ) A61B 1/ 00( . ) A61B 18/ 14( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/007009 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/037156 (28.11.1996 Gazette 1996/52)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 22.05.1995 US 19950445597 22.12.1995 US 19950577598 (71) Applicant: Advanced Closure Systems, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (US)	(72) Inventor: Advanced Closure Systems, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (US) (74) Representative: Purvis, William Michael Cameron  D. Young & Co., 21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)