(19)

(11)

EP 1 223 876 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.07.2002 Bulletin 2002/30 (21) Application number: 00961755.6 (22) Date of filing: 11.09.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 18/18 (86) International application number: PCT/US0024/836 (87) International publication number: WO 0119/270 (22.03.2001 Gazette 2001/12)

(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: 15.09.1999 US 396959 30.03.2000 US 539056 (71) Applicant: The General Hospital doing business as Masschusetts General Hospital BostonMA 02114 (US)	(72) Inventor: KEANE, David Wellesley, MA 02462 (US) (74) Representative: Casey, Lindsay Joseph  F. R. Kelly & Co.27 Clyde RoadBallsbridge Dublin 4 Dublin 4 (IE)