(19)

(11)

EP 1 231 981 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/34 (21) Application number: 00978846.4 (22) Date of filing: 21.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61N 1/08, A61N 1/378 (86) International application number: PCT/US0031/923 (87) International publication number: WO 0103/7926 (31.05.2001 Gazette 2001/22)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR (30) Priority: 22.11.1999 US 444591 (71) Applicant: ABIOMED, INC. Danvers, MA 01923 (US)	(72) Inventor: ZARINETCHI, Farhad Chelmsford, MA 01863 (US) (74) Representative: Strehl Schübel-Hopf & Partner  Maximilianstrasse 54 80538 München 80538 München (DE)