(19)

(11)

EP 1 124 496 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.08.2001 Bulletin 2001/34 (21) Application number: 99971292.0 (22) Date of filing: 29.10.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/70 (86) International application number: PCT/US9925/368 (87) International publication number: WO 0025/689 (11.05.2000 Gazette 2000/19)

(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: 29.10.1998 US 106130 P (71) Applicant: Alphatec Manufacturing, Inc. Palm Desert, CA 92211 (US)	(72) Inventors: CAMPBELL, Christopher M. Bermuda Dunes, CA 92201 (US) TOKISH, Leonard, J., Jr. Seattle, WA 98125 (US) (74) Representative: Kenyon, Sarah Elizabeth et al Miller Sturt Kenyon9 John Street London WC1N 2ES London WC1N 2ES (GB)