(19)

(11)

EP 1 408 828 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 17.04.2003 (43) Date of publication: 21.04.2004 Bulletin 2004/17 (21) Application number: 01973049.8 (22) Date of filing: 12.09.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 5/022 (86) International application number: PCT/US2001/028783 (87) International publication number: WO 2002/026128 (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: 25.09.2000 US 669474 14.08.2001 US 929501 14.08.2001 US 929847 14.08.2001 US 929856 (71) Applicant: WELCH ALLYN, INC. Skaneateles FallsNew York 13153 (US)

(72) Inventors: DROMMS, Raymond, P. Liverpool, NY 13090 (US) OSIECKI, Scott Skaneateles, NY 13152 (US) LIA, Raymond, A. Auburn, NY 13021 (US) VIVENZIO, Robert, L. Auburn, NY 13021 (US) DANNA, Dominick Syracuse, NY 13215 (US) BAXTER, James, M. Jordan, NY 13080 (US) STEARNS, Scott, S. Marietta, NY 13215 (US) (74) Representative: Wehnert, Werner, Dipl.-Ing. et al PatentanwälteHauck, Graalfs, Wenert,Döring, Siemons, SchildbergMozartstrasse 23 80336 München 80336 München (DE)