(19)

(11)

EP 1 278 452 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 29.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/05 (21) Application number: 00926006.8 (22) Date of filing: 14.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0010/088 (87) International publication number: WO 0107/8589 (25.10.2001 Gazette 2001/43)

(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 (71) Applicant: Fovioptics, Inc. Gray,Tennessee 37604 (US)	(72) Inventors: RICE, Mark, J. Johnson City, TN 37604 (US) SWEAT, Robert, H., Jr. Lexington, KY 40502 (US) RIOUX, James, M. Lexington, KY 40517 (US) WILLIAMS, William, T. Jonesborough, TN 37659 (US) ROUTT, Wilson Lexington, KY 40503 (US) (74) Representative: Price, Nigel John King  J.A. KEMP & CO.14 South SquareGray's Inn London WC1R 5JJ London WC1R 5JJ (GB)