(19)

(11)

EP 1 280 468 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 07.02.2002 (43) Date of publication: 05.02.2003 Bulletin 2003/06 (21) Application number: 01935451.3 (22) Date of filing: 14.05.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 18/14 (86) International application number: PCT/US0115/475 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/7173 (22.11.2001 Gazette 2001/47)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR (30) Priority: 12.05.2000 US 204419 P (71) Applicant: C.R. BARD, INC. Murray HillNew Jersey 07974 (US)	(72) Inventors: O'BOYLE, Gary, S. North Andover, MA 01845 (US) GIBSON, Charles, A., III Malden, MA 02148 (US) (74) Representative: HOFFMANN EITLE  Patent- und RechtsanwälteArabellastrasse 4 81925 München 81925 München (DE)