(19)

(11)

EP 1 439 868 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 18.09.2003 (43) Date of publication: 28.07.2004 Bulletin 2004/31 (21) Application number: 02780558.9 (22) Date of filing: 31.10.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61L 31/10, A61L 31/14, A61F 2/06, A61L 27/34, A61L 27/50, A61L 27/58 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/035065 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/037397 (08.05.2003 Gazette 2003/19)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 31.10.2001 US 1765 29.11.2001 US 997829 (71) Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Irvine, CA 92614 (US)	(72) Inventor: SHANNON, Donald, T. Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679 (US) (74) Representative: Parry, Christopher Stephen  Saunders & Dolleymore,9 Rickmansworth Road Watford, Herts. WD18 0JU Watford, Herts. WD18 0JU (GB)