(19)

(11)

EP 1 143 850 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 17.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/42 (21) Application number: 00904453.8 (22) Date of filing: 19.01.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0001/378 (87) International publication number: WO 0042/907 (27.07.2000 Gazette 2000/30)

(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: 22.01.1999 US 116883 P 22.07.1999 US 359191 (71) Applicant: Instrumentation Metrics, Inc. Tempe, AZ 85284 (US)	(72) Inventors: MALIN, Stephen, F. Phoenix, AZ 85042 (US) RUCHTI, Timothy, L. Gilbert, AZ 85233 (US) (74) Representative: Price, Nigel John King  J.A. KEMP & CO.14 South SquareGray's Inn London WC1R 5JJ London WC1R 5JJ (GB)