(19)

(11)

EP 0 955 937 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 17.11.1999 Bulletin 1999/46 (21) Application number: 97925510.0 (22) Date of filing: 09.05.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61C 7/ 28( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/007912 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/042906 (20.11.1997 Gazette 1997/50)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR (30) Priority: 10.05.1996 US 19960017535P (71) Applicant: Ormco Corporation Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 (US)	(72) Inventors: SAGHAFI, Saeed Encinitas, CA 92024 (US) NICHOLS, William San Marcos, CA 92069 (US) SWENSEN, Myron Encinitas, CA 92024 (US) (74) Representative: Findlay, Alice Rosemary, et al  Lloyd Wise, Tregear & Co., Commonwealth House, 1-19 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1LW London WC1A 1LW (GB)