(19)

(11)

EP 1 274 525 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 25.05.2001 (43) Date of publication: 15.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/03 (21) Application number: 00959356.7 (22) Date of filing: 24.08.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22D 15/00, B22D 27/04, B22D 23/00, B22F 3/17, C22C 1/00, C22F 1/00, C22F 1/10, C22F 1/18, C21D 7/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0023/267 (87) International publication number: WO 0101/4602 (01.03.2001 Gazette 2001/09)

(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: 24.08.1999 US 150429 P (71) Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. Memphis, Tennessee 38116 (US)	(72) Inventors: LONG, Mark Memphis, TN 38104 (US) HUNTER, Gordon Germantown, TN 38139 (US) (74) Representative: Draggett, Peter Thornton  Group Patents & Trade Marks Dept.,Smith & Nephew Group Research Centre,York Science Park Heslington,York Y010 5DF Heslington,York Y010 5DF (GB)