(19)

(11)

EP 1 280 462 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 21.03.2002 (43) Date of publication: 05.02.2003 Bulletin 2003/06 (21) Application number: 01931073.9 (22) Date of filing: 07.05.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 10/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0114/568 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/5032 (15.11.2001 Gazette 2001/46)

(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: 09.05.2000 US 202759 P (71) Applicant: United States Endoscopy Group, Inc. Mentor, OH 44060 (US)	(72) Inventors: SECREST, Dean, J. Concord, OH 44077 (US) YOUNKER, Marlin Waite Hill, OH 44094 (US) (74) Representative: Henkel, Feiler, Hänzel  Möhlstrasse 37 81675 München 81675 München (DE)