(19)

(11)

EP 1 025 455 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 04.06.2000 (43) Date of publication: 09.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/32 (21) Application number: 99969586.9 (22) Date of filing: 27.07.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01T 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9916/956 (87) International publication number: WO 0025/148 (04.05.2000 Gazette 2000/18)

(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: 28.07.1998 US 94416 P (71) Applicant: Packard Bioscience Company Meriden, CT 06450 (US)	(72) Inventors: MCELROY, Robert, D., Jr. Middletown, CT 06457 (US) VILLANI, Marcel, F. New Brittain, CT 06052 (US) (74) Representative: Jones, Colin et al Withers & RogersGoldings House2 Hays Lane London SE1 2HW London SE1 2HW (GB)