(19)

(11)

EP 1 047 949 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 27.05.1999 (43) Date of publication: 02.11.2000 Bulletin 2000/44 (21) Application number: 98947680.9 (22) Date of filing: 15.10.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01R 33/44 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9803/099 (87) International publication number: WO 9919/740 (22.04.1999 Gazette 1999/16)

(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: 15.10.1997 GB 9721892 (71) Applicant: BTG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED London EC4M 7SB (GB)	(72) Inventors: PEIRSON, Neil, Francis Northampton NN5 7AG (GB) BARRAS, James The Strand,London WC2R 2LS (GB) SMITH, John, Alec, Sydney London SW19 7QR (GB) (74) Representative: Johnson, Reginald George et al BTG International Limited,Patents Division,10 Fleet Place,Limeburner Lane London EC4M 7SB London EC4M 7SB (GB)