(19)

(11)

EP 1 361 839 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 17.04.2003 (43) Date of publication: 19.11.2003 Bulletin 2003/47 (21) Application number: 02709642.9 (22) Date of filing: 19.02.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61F 2/44, A61F 2/28, A61F 2/46, A61B 17/16, A61B 17/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0205/314 (87) International publication number: WO 0206/5957 (29.08.2002 Gazette 2002/35)

(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: 16.02.2001 US 269777 P 28.06.2001 US 896926 (71) Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc. Minneapolis, MN 55439-2029 (US)	(72) Inventors: Hanson, David A. Minneapolis, MN 55408 (US) Longhini, Ross A. Woodbury, MN 55125 (US) McPhillips, Daniel D. Ham Lake, MN 55304 (US) Seme, Steven J. Savage, MN 55378 (US) (74) Representative: Prins, Adrianus Willem et al Vereenigde,Nieuwe Parklaan 97 2587 BN Den Haag 2587 BN Den Haag (NL)