(19)

(11)

EP 1 315 459 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.06.2003 Bulletin 2003/23 (21) Application number: 01962273.7 (22) Date of filing: 20.08.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/20, A61B 10/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0126/102 (87) International publication number: WO 0201/5800 (28.02.2002 Gazette 2002/09)

(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: 24.08.2000 US 227675 P (71) Applicant: Alza Corporation Mountain View, CA 94039-7210 (US)	(72) Inventors: MATRIANO, James, A. Mountain View, CA 94043 (US) CORMIER, Michel, J., N. Mountain View, CA 94303 (US) (74) Representative: Mercer, Christopher Paul et al Carpmaels & Ransford43, Bloomsbury Square London WC1A 2RA London WC1A 2RA (GB)