(19)

(11)

EP 1 135 084 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 26.09.2001 Bulletin 2001/39 (21) Application number: 99971296.1 (22) Date of filing: 02.11.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9925/866 (87) International publication number: WO 0025/708 (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 Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 03.11.1998 US 106881 P (71) Applicant: Throwright LLC Bellevue, WA 98004 (US)	(72) Inventor: KAFER, Timothy J., c/o Throwright LLC Bellevue, Washington 98004 (US) (74) Representative: Leson, Thomas Johannes Alois, Dipl.-Ing.  PatentanwälteTiedtke-Bühling-Kinne & Partner,Bavariaring 4 80336 München 80336 München (DE)