(19)

(11)

EP 1 022 986 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 06.04.2000 (43) Date of publication: 02.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/31 (21) Application number: 98953887.1 (22) Date of filing: 22.10.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/00, B01F 13/00, B05C 17/00, A61M 3/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9822/380 (87) International publication number: WO 9920/328 (29.04.1999 Gazette 1999/17)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT DE FR GB IT (30) Priority: 22.10.1997 US 956308 (71) Applicant: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY St. Paul,Minnesota 55133-3427 (US)	(72) Inventor: WIRT, David, F. Saint Paul, MN 55133-3427 (US) (74) Representative: VOSSIUS & PARTNER  Siebertstrasse 4 81675 München 81675 München (DE)