(19)

(11)

EP 1 100 402 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 22.06.2000 (43) Date of publication: 23.05.2001 Bulletin 2001/21 (21) Application number: 99933612.6 (22) Date of filing: 29.06.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 2/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9914/775 (87) International publication number: WO 0001/320 (13.01.2000 Gazette 2000/02)

(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: 06.07.1998 US 91762 P (71) Applicant: ADVANCED BIONICS CORPORATION Sylmar, CA 91342 (US)	(72) Inventors: LOEB, Gerald, E. Northridge, CA 91326 (US) MANN, Carla, M. Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (US) RICHMOND, Francis, J., R. Northridge, CA 91326 (US) (74) Representative: HOFFMANN - EITLE  Patent- und RechtsanwälteArabellastrasse 4 81925 München 81925 München (DE)