(19)

(11)

EP 1 213 993 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.06.2002 Bulletin 2002/25 (21) Application number: 00955428.8 (22) Date of filing: 11.08.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0021/855 (87) International publication number: WO 0112/058 (22.02.2001 Gazette 2001/08)

(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: 13.08.1999 US 219321 P 13.08.1999 US 229361 P (71) Applicant: SYNAPTEC, L.L.C. Weston, FL 33331 (US)	(72) Inventor: CASSILY, James, F. Grand Rapids, MI 49508 (US) (74) Representative: Casey, Lindsay Joseph et al F. R. Kelly & Co.27 Clyde RoadBallsbridge Dublin 4 Dublin 4 (IE)