(19)

(11)

EP 1 337 287 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 17.10.2002 (43) Date of publication: 27.08.2003 Bulletin 2003/35 (21) Application number: 01988600.1 (22) Date of filing: 23.10.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61L 31/04, A61L 31/14, A61L 27/14, A61L 27/50 (86) International application number: PCT/US0145/406 (87) International publication number: WO 0203/4310 (02.05.2002 Gazette 2002/18)

(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: 25.10.2000 US 696389 (71) Applicant: SDGI Holdings, Inc. Wilmington, DE 19801 (US)	(72) Inventors: DICKSON, Andrew, M. Gallatin, TN 37066 (US) ESTES, Bradley, T. Durham, NC 27705 (US) (74) Representative: Hughes, Andrea Michelle  Frank B. Dehn & Co.,European Patent Attorneys,179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)