(19)

(11)

EP 1 161 275 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/50 (21) Application number: 00921408.1 (22) Date of filing: 17.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61M 25/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0007/307 (87) International publication number: WO 0054/830 (21.09.2000 Gazette 2000/38)

(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: 17.03.1999 US 271426 (71) Applicant: Becton, Dickinson and Company Franklin Lakes,New Jersey 07417 (US)	(72) Inventor: BINT, Stephen Swindon,Wiltshire SN6 7BY (GB) (74) Representative: Ruffles, Graham Keith  MARKS & CLERK,57-60 Lincoln's Inn Fields London WC2A 3LS London WC2A 3LS (GB)