(19)

(11)

EP 1 259 197 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 27.11.2002 Bulletin 2002/48 (21) Application number: 01913083.0 (22) Date of filing: 27.02.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 2/44 (86) International application number: PCT/US0106/193 (87) International publication number: WO 0106/4142 (07.09.2001 Gazette 2001/36)

(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: 28.02.2000 US 513954 (71) Applicant: SDGI Holdings, Inc. Wilmington, DE 19801 (US)	(72) Inventor: CAUTHEN, Joseph, C. Gainesville, FL 32607 (US) (74) Representative: Hughes, Andrea Michelle  Frank B. Dehn & Co.,European Patent Attorneys,179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)