(19)

(11)

EP 0 955 899 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 17.11.1999 Bulletin 1999/46 (21) Application number: 97939636.0 (22) Date of filing: 28.08.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 00( . ) A61B 17/ 32( . ) A61B 19/ 02( . ) G05G 1/ 30( . ) G08C 19/ 28( . ) A61B 18/ 00( . ) A61F 9/ 00( . ) A61M 1/ 00( . ) A61B 17/ 22( . ) A61B 19/ 00( . ) A61F 9/ 007( . ) G06F 19/ 00( . ) H02H 3/ 12( . ) A61B 18/ 14( . ) A61G 12/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/015178 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/008442 (05.03.1998 Gazette 1998/09)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT (30) Priority: 29.08.1996 US 19960025498P 26.09.1996 US 19960721391 (60) Divisional application: 05075313.6 / 1550405 (60) Divisional application: 05075314.4 / 1550406 (71) Applicant: Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Inc. Rochester, New York 14604-2701 (US)

(72) Inventors: BISCH, Michael, Evremonde St. Louis, MO 63122 (US) COCHRAN, Bruce, Robert St. Charles, MO 63304 (US) EBERHARDT, Christopher, Michael Florissant, MO 63034 (US) McFERRAN, Stanley, Curtis Imperial, MO 63052 (US) PAINTER, John, A. Bridgeton, MO 63044 (US) WAGNER, Michael, Andrew University City, MO 63130 (US) (74) Representative: Bowman, Paul Alan  LLOYD WISE, TREGEAR & CO., Commonwealth House, 1-19 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1LW London WC1A 1LW (GB)