(19)

(11)

EP 1 135 210 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 26.09.2001 Bulletin 2001/39 (21) Application number: 99971738.2 (22) Date of filing: 05.11.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B01L 3/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9926/210 (87) International publication number: WO 0027/528 (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: 06.11.1998 US 188032 20.01.1999 US 234195 (71) Applicant: RAININ INSTRUMENT CO.,INC. Emeryville, CA 94608 (US)	(72) Inventor: PETREK, James, S. Danville, CA 94526 (US) (74) Representative: Manitz, Finsterwald & Partner GbR  Robert-Koch-Strasse 1 80538 München 80538 München (DE)