(19)

(11)

EP 0 957 799 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.11.1999 Bulletin 1999/47 (21) Application number: 97945328.0 (22) Date of filing: 29.09.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 88( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/017434 (87) International publication number: WO 1999/016372 (08.04.1999 Gazette 1999/14)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE (71) Applicant: PHILLIPS, Arnold G. Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (US)	(72) Inventor: PHILLIPS, Arnold G. Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (US) (74) Representative: Ede, Eric  Fitzpatricks, 4 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 1RS, Scotland Glasgow G2 1RS, Scotland (GB)