(19)

(11)

EP 1 148 827 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/44 (21) Application number: 00904514.7 (22) Date of filing: 24.01.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/32 (86) International application number: PCT/US0001/665 (87) International publication number: WO 0044/292 (03.08.2000 Gazette 2000/31)

(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: 27.01.1999 US 238691 (71) Applicant: FLOW INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION Kent,Washington 98032 (US)	(72) Inventors: HASHISH, Mohamed, A. Bellevue, WA 98006 (US) CRAIGEN, Steven, J. Auburn, WA 98001 (US) (74) Representative: Grünecker, Kinkeldey, Stockmair & SchwanhäusserAnwaltssozietät  Maximilianstrasse 58 80538 München 80538 München (DE)