(19)

(11)

EP 0 998 232 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/19 (21) Application number: 98939108.1 (22) Date of filing: 20.07.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/36 (86) International application number: PCT/US9815/709 (87) International publication number: WO 9904/709 (04.02.1999 Gazette 1999/05)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 22.07.1997 US 53309 P (71) Applicant: United States Surgical Corporation Norwalk,Connecticut 06856 (US)	(72) Inventor: PACALA, Thomas, J. Corona del Mar, CA 92625 (US) (74) Representative: Baker, Colin John  Eric Potter ClarksonPark View House58 The Ropewalk Nottingham NG1 5DD Nottingham NG1 5DD (GB)