(19)

(11)

EP 0 983 020 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/10 (21) Application number: 98920976.2 (22) Date of filing: 06.05.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 6/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9809/094 (87) International publication number: WO 9849/939 (12.11.1998 Gazette 1998/45)

(84) Designated Contracting States: CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 06.05.1997 RU 97107600 08.07.1997 RU 97112038 31.07.1997 RU 97113446 23.01.1998 US 12244 23.01.1998 US 12771 (71) Applicant: Quanta Vision, Inc. San Mateo, CA 94402 (US)	(72) Inventors: KOMARDIN, Oleg Moscow, 121467 (RU) LAZAREV, Pavel Menlo Park, CA 94025 (US) (74) Representative: Holmes, Miles Keeton et al D. YOUNG & CO.,21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)