(19)

(11)

EP 1 164 980 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 15.02.2001 (43) Date of publication: 02.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/01 (21) Application number: 00917779.1 (22) Date of filing: 07.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 5/08, A61D 9/00, A61F 13/12 (86) International application number: PCT/US0005/943 (87) International publication number: WO 0053/132 (14.09.2000 Gazette 2000/37)

(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: 08.03.1999 US 264464 23.08.1999 US 379425 15.11.1999 US 165578 P (71) Applicant: Winease, LLC Eagan, MN 55123 (US)	(72) Inventors: BLACH, Edward, L. Roswell, NM 88201 (US) CHIAPETTA, James, R. Eagan, MN 55123-2434 (US) COHEN, Daniel, E. Eden Prairie, MN 55347 (US) (74) Representative: Humphreys, Ceris Anne et al Abel & Imray 20 Red Lion Street London WC1R 4PQ London WC1R 4PQ (GB)