(19)

(11)

EP 1 255 582 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.11.2002 Bulletin 2002/46 (21) Application number: 01905354.5 (22) Date of filing: 02.02.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61M 25/10 (86) International application number: PCT/US0103/395 (87) International publication number: WO 0105/6643 (09.08.2001 Gazette 2001/32)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 04.02.2000 US 180233 P (71) Applicant: Endoscopic Technologies, Inc. Danville, CA 94506 (US)	(72) Inventors: MAGER, Larry, F. Pleasanton, CA 94566 (US) RIEBMAN, Jerome, B. Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (US) BERTOLERO, Raymond, S. Danville, CA 94506 (US) BERTOLERO, Arthur, A. Danville, CA 94506 (US) (74) Representative: Stainthorpe, Vanessa Juliet et al Harrison Goddard FooteFountain PrecinctLeopold Street Sheffield S1 2QD Sheffield S1 2QD (GB)