(19)

(11)

EP 1 128 783 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 05.09.2001 Bulletin 2001/36 (21) Application number: 99920465.4 (22) Date of filing: 30.04.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 2/06 (86) International application number: PCT/CA9900/397 (87) International publication number: WO 0027/306 (18.05.2000 Gazette 2000/20)

(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: 09.11.1998 US 188114 (71) Applicant: Mivi Technologies Inc. Vancouver,British Columbia V6P 6T3 (CA)	(72) Inventor: MA, Zhi-Yong Richmond, British Columbia V7C 1G8 (CA) (74) Representative: Barnard, Eric Edward  Brookes Batchellor102-108 Clerkenwell Road London EC1M 5SA London EC1M 5SA (GB)