(19)

(11)

EP 1 079 767 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 07.03.2001 Bulletin 2001/10 (21) Application number: 99918910.3 (22) Date of filing: 30.04.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 2/06 (86) International application number: PCT/US9909/383 (87) International publication number: WO 9955/257 (04.11.1999 Gazette 1999/44)

(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: 30.04.1998 US 70476 (71) Applicant: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFTHE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY Palo Alto, CA 94304-1850 (US)	(72) Inventors: STEVENS, Walter, J. Mountain View, CA 94040 (US) SPRINGER, George, S. Stanford, CA 94305 (US) (74) Representative: Brasnett, Adrian Hugh et al Mewburn EllisYork House23 Kingsway London WC2B 6HP London WC2B 6HP (GB)