(19)

(11)

EP 0 981 750 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 01.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/09 (21) Application number: 97926543.6 (22) Date of filing: 14.05.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 33/558 (86) International application number: PCT/US9708/284 (87) International publication number: WO 9852/045 (19.11.1998 Gazette 1998/46)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (71) Applicant: METRIKA LABORATORIES, INC. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (US)	(72) Inventors: BLATT, Joel, M. Palo Alto, CA 94306 (US) ALLEN, Michael, P. Los Altos, CA 94024 (US) PATEL, Paul, J. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (US) (74) Representative: Hallam, Arnold Vincent et al LEWIS & TAYLOR5 The Quadrant Coventry, CV1 2EL Coventry, CV1 2EL (GB)