(19)

(11)

EP 1 163 513 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/51 (21) Application number: 00913639.1 (22) Date of filing: 25.02.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 31/22, G01N 21/29, G01N 21/41, G01N 15/06, G01N 33/48 (86) International application number: PCT/US0005/038 (87) International publication number: WO 0050/891 (31.08.2000 Gazette 2000/35)

(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: 26.02.1999 US 122140 P (71) Applicant: Fertility Acoustics Inc. Buffalo, New York 14202 (US)	(72) Inventors: MCNIERNEY, John, C. Fairburn, GE 30213 (US) GIBBONS, William, S., Jr. East Aurora, NY 14052 (US) (74) Representative: MacLean, Martin Robert et al Mathys & Squire 100 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8AL London WC1X 8AL (GB)