(19)

(11)

EP 1 119 320 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 01.08.2001 Bulletin 2001/31 (21) Application number: 99943098.6 (22) Date of filing: 02.09.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 5/01, D04B 1/02 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9902/892 (87) International publication number: WO 0013/621 (16.03.2000 Gazette 2000/11)

(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: 02.09.1998 GB 9818978 (71) Applicant: Smith & Nephew PLC London WC2N 6LA (GB)	(72) Inventor: ROBERTS, Joanne Carol BurnleyLancashire BB11 5HR (GB) (74) Representative: Wilding, Richard Alan  Group Patent & Trade Marks Dept,Smith & NephewGroup Research CentreYork Science Park Heslington, York YO10 5DF Heslington, York YO10 5DF (GB)