(19)

(11)

EP 1 018 983 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/29 (21) Application number: 98906166.8 (22) Date of filing: 06.02.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 2/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9802/243 (87) International publication number: WO 9836/707 (27.08.1998 Gazette 1998/34)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 07.02.1997 US 798425 07.02.1997 US 798426 (71) Applicant: SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE IN OREGON Seattle, WA 98111-9038 (US)	(72) Inventor: GREGORY, Kenton, W. Portland, OR 97201 (US) (74) Representative: Silverman, Warren et al Haseltine Lake & Co.Imperial House,15-19 Kingsway London WC2B 6UD London WC2B 6UD (GB)