(19)

(11)

EP 1 139 966 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/41 (21) Application number: 00918499.5 (22) Date of filing: 29.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61G 7/057 (86) International application number: PCT/US0008/376 (87) International publication number: WO 0057/830 (05.10.2000 Gazette 2000/40)

(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: 29.03.1999 US 126929 P (71) Applicant: KINETIC CONCEPTS, INC. San Antonio, TX 78230 (US)	(72) Inventors: VRZALIK, John, H. San Antonio, TX 78263 (US) GONZALEZ, Felipe San Antonio, TX 78263 (US) LEININGER, Peter, A. San Antonio, TX 78232 (US) HICKS, Ronald, B. San Antonio, TX 78230 (US) DIMITRIU, Dan San Antonio, TX 78230 (US) (74) Representative: Shindler, Nigel  Brookes Batchellor102-108 Clerkenwell Road London EC1M 5SA London EC1M 5SA (GB)