(19)

(11)

EP 1 322 979 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 06.03.2003 (43) Date of publication: 02.07.2003 Bulletin 2003/27 (21) Application number: 01977205.2 (22) Date of filing: 27.09.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G02B 6/34, G02B 6/16 (86) International application number: PCT/US0130/216 (87) International publication number: WO 0202/7364 (04.04.2002 Gazette 2002/12)

(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: 28.09.2000 US 675455 (71) Applicant: CiDra Corporation Wallingford, CT 06492 (US)	(72) Inventors: PUTNAM, Martin, A. Cheshire, CT 06410 (US) KERSEY, Alan, D. South Glastonbury, CT 06073 (US) BAILEY, Timothy, J. Longmeadow, MA 01106 (US) (74) Representative: Klunker . Schmitt-Nilson . Hirsch  Winzererstrasse 106 80797 München 80797 München (DE)