(19)

(11)

EP 1 105 047 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.06.2001 Bulletin 2001/24 (21) Application number: 99933567.2 (22) Date of filing: 23.06.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9914/256 (87) International publication number: WO 0078/223 (28.12.2000 Gazette 2000/52)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: BRENNAN, George H. Newport Beach, CA 92660 (US)	(72) Inventor: BRENNAN, George H. Newport Beach, CA 92660 (US) (74) Representative: Casey, Lindsay Joseph  F. R. Kelly & Co.27 Clyde RoadBallsbridge Dublin 4 Dublin 4 (IE)