(19)

(11)

EP 0 951 252 A2

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 27.10.1999 Bulletin 1999/43 (21) Application number: 97945625.0 (22) Date of filing: 05.11.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 11( . ) A61F 2/ 04( . ) A61F 2/ 82( . ) A61B 17/ 00( . ) A61B 19/ 00( . ) A61B 17/ 32( . ) A61F 2/ 06( . ) A61F 2/ 84( . ) A61B 17/ 28( . ) A61F 2/ 90( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/020244 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/019634 (14.05.1998 Gazette 1998/19)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 07.11.1996 US 19960745618 23.04.1997 US 19970844992 (71) Applicant: Vascular Science Inc. Minneapolis, MN 55427 (US)	(72) Inventors: SULLIVAN, Daniel, J. Medina, MN 55356 (US) BACHINSKI, Thomas, J. Lakeville, MN 55044 (US) GOLDSTEEN, David, S. Minneapolis, MN 55409 (US) (74) Representative: VOSSIUS & PARTNER  Siebertstrasse 4 81675 München 81675 München (DE)