(19)

(11)

EP 1 093 342 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.04.2001 Bulletin 2001/17 (21) Application number: 99930147.6 (22) Date of filing: 04.06.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9912/609 (87) International publication number: WO 0010/461 (02.03.2000 Gazette 2000/09)

(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: 09.06.1998 US 88863 P 19.02.1999 US 120663 P 04.06.1999 US 326740 (71) Applicant: Nuvasive Inc. San Diego, CA 92037 (US)	(72) Inventor: MARINO, James, F. La Jolla, CA 92037 (US) (74) Representative: Merrifield, Sarah Elizabeth et al Boult Wade TennantVerulam Gardens70 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8BT London WC1X 8BT (GB)