(19)

(11)

EP 1 166 064 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/01 (21) Application number: 00919988.6 (22) Date of filing: 31.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01J 4/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0008/625 (87) International publication number: WO 0058/699 (05.10.2000 Gazette 2000/40)

(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: 31.03.1999 US 127263 P (71) Applicant: HINDS INSTRUMENTS, INC. Hillsboro OR 97124-7135 (US)	(72) Inventor: KADLEC, Paul Vail, AZ 85641 (US) (74) Representative: Hoarton, Lloyd Douglas Charles  Forrester & Boehmert, Pettenkoferstrasse 20-22 80336 München 80336 München (DE)