(19)

(11)

EP 1 435 831 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.07.2004 Bulletin 2004/29 (21) Application number: 01981697.4 (22) Date of filing: 17.10.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 1/32 (86) International application number: PCT/US2001/032393 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/032819 (24.04.2003 Gazette 2003/17)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR (71) Applicant: Applied Medical Resources Corporation Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 (US)	(72) Inventors: EWERS, Richard, C. Fullerton, CA 92688 (US) DULAK, Gary, R. Newport Beach, CA 92663 (US) HILAL, Nabil Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 (US) (74) Representative: Fitchett, Stuart Paul  Saunders & DolleymoreEuropean Patent Attorneys9 Rickmansworth Road Watford WD18 0JU Watford WD18 0JU (GB)