(19)

(11)

EP 1 148 957 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/44 (21) Application number: 99964207.7 (22) Date of filing: 09.12.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B21B 1/46, B21B 13/22, B22D 11/126, B22D 11/128, B23P 17/00, B23P 25/00, B24B 1/00, B24B 5/00, B24B 5/18, B24B 7/00, B24B 7/19, B24B 7/30, B24B 9/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9929/329 (87) International publication number: WO 0033/984 (15.06.2000 Gazette 2000/24)

(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: 10.12.1998 US 111892 P (71) Applicant: MICRO THERAPEUTICS, INC. Irvine, CA 92618 (US)	(72) Inventors: ASHBY, Mark, P. Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 (US) STRAUSS, Brian, M. Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679 (US) (74) Representative: Brykman, Georges et al c/o Brevalex3, rue du Docteur Lancereaux 75008 Paris 75008 Paris (FR)