(19)

(11)

EP 1 153 264 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.11.2001 Bulletin 2001/46 (21) Application number: 00906994.9 (22) Date of filing: 25.01.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01B 9/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0001/613 (87) International publication number: WO 0043/729 (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: 26.01.1999 US 117301 P (71) Applicant: THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR HIGHER EDUCATIONSTATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS Providence, RI 02908 (US)	(72) Inventor: GREGORY, Otto, J. Wakefield, RI 02879 (US) (74) Representative: Bankes, Stephen Charles Digby et al BARON & WARREN18 South EndKensington London W8 5BU London W8 5BU (GB)