(19)

(11)

EP 1 039 869 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 04.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/40 (21) Application number: 97952491.5 (22) Date of filing: 16.12.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61G 7/08 (86) International application number: PCT/US9723/283 (87) International publication number: WO 9930/662 (24.06.1999 Gazette 1999/25)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: BARTON MEDICAL CORPORATION Austin, TX 78701 (US)	(72) Inventor: HODGETTS, Graham, L. Baden, PA 15005 (US) (74) Representative: Münch, Otto, Dipl.-Ing. et al Isler & Pedrazzini AG,Patentanwälte,Postfach 6940 8023 Zürich 8023 Zürich (CH)