(19)

(11)

EP 1 335 665 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 06.03.2003 (43) Date of publication: 20.08.2003 Bulletin 2003/34 (21) Application number: 01988138.2 (22) Date of filing: 15.11.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0143/097 (87) International publication number: WO 0204/3561 (06.06.2002 Gazette 2002/23)

(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: 15.11.2000 US 712258 (71) Applicant: Rheologics, Inc. Exton, PA 19341 (US)	(72) Inventor: GRONER, Warren Great Neck, NY 11020 (US) (74) Representative: Rupp, Christian, Dipl.Phys. et al Mitscherlich & PartnerPatent- und RechtsanwälteSonnenstrasse 33 80331 München 80331 München (DE)