(19)

(11)

EP 1 229 840 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/33 (21) Application number: 00978438.0 (22) Date of filing: 10.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US0030/745 (87) International publication number: WO 0134/036 (17.05.2001 Gazette 2001/20)

(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: 11.11.1999 US 164898 P 14.03.2000 US 188894 P (71) Applicant: LINVATEC CORPORATION Largo,Florida 33773 (US)	(72) Inventors: LI, Lehmann, K. Milford, CT 06460 (US) CORRAO, Ernie Bethal, CT (US) (74) Representative: Gauger, Hans-Peter, Dipl.-Ing.  Müller, Schupfner & Gauger,Maximilianstrasse 6 80539 München 80539 München (DE)