(19)

(11)

EP 1 017 498 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/28 (21) Application number: 98902786.7 (22) Date of filing: 08.01.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B01L 11/00, C12M 1/12, C12M 1/20 (86) International application number: PCT/US9800/494 (87) International publication number: WO 9831/466 (23.07.1998 Gazette 1998/29)

(84) Designated Contracting States: CH DK FR GB LI NL (30) Priority: 17.01.1997 US 37636 P (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: AFFLECK, Rhett, L. Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (US) BURBAUM, Jonathan, J. Cranbury, NJ 08312 (US) MATHUS, Gregory Concord, MA 01742 (US) NIEMANN, Andrew, W. Acton, MA 01720 (US)