(19)

(11)

EP 1 069 857 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 17.02.2000 (43) Date of publication: 24.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/04 (21) Application number: 99915314.1 (22) Date of filing: 06.04.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9907/565 (87) International publication number: WO 9951/142 (14.10.1999 Gazette 1999/41)

(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: 06.04.1998 US 80794 P (71) Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation Boston, MA 02110-2214 (US)	(72) Inventors: KOLLIAS, Nikiforos Watertown, MA 02472 (US) TIAN, Wei, Dong West Roxbury, MA 02132 (US) FREEMAN, Jenny, E. Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (US) (74) Representative: Kazi, Ilya et al Mathys & Squire,100 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8AL London WC1X 8AL (GB)