(19)

(11)

EP 0 952 869 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 03.11.1999 Bulletin 1999/44 (21) Application number: 97941454.0 (22) Date of filing: 08.09.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61N 1/ 30( . ) A61N 1/ 32( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/015798 (87) International publication number: WO 1999/012606 (18.03.1999 Gazette 1999/11)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT (71) Applicant: Becton, Dickinson and Company Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880 (US)	(72) Inventor: DENUZZIO, John, D. Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (US) (74) Representative: Ruffles, Graham Keith  MARKS & CLERK, 57-60 Lincoln's Inn Fields London WC2A 3LS London WC2A 3LS (GB)