(19)

(11)

EP 1 046 024 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/43 (21) Application number: 98965449.6 (22) Date of filing: 21.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01K 1/06, G01D 5/39, A61N 1/40, A61B 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9827/316 (87) International publication number: WO 9935/474 (15.07.1999 Gazette 1999/28)

(84) Designated Contracting States: CH DE FR GB IE IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 05.01.1998 US 70399 P (71) Applicant: Reiffel, Leonard Chicago, IL 60614 (US)	(72) Inventor: Reiffel, Leonard Chicago, IL 60614 (US) (74) Representative: Powell, Stephen David  WILLIAMS, POWELL & ASSOCIATES4 St Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8AY London EC4M 8AY (GB)