(19)

(11)

EP 1 124 491 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.08.2001 Bulletin 2001/34 (21) Application number: 99950927.6 (22) Date of filing: 19.10.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/135, G01B 3/34 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9903/440 (87) International publication number: WO 0022/993 (27.04.2000 Gazette 2000/17)

(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: 19.10.1998 GB 9822615 30.10.1998 GB 9823703 (71) Applicant: Bibby Sterilin Limited Stone,Staffordshire ST15 0SA (GB)	(72) Inventor: CHUKWULOBELU, Rosemary Birmingham B30 1TB (GB) (74) Representative: Lyons, Andrew John et al ROYSTONS,Tower Building,Water Street Liverpool L3 1BA,Merseyside Liverpool L3 1BA,Merseyside (GB)