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(11)

EP 1 448 258 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.08.2004 Bulletin 2004/35 (21) Application number: 01987102.9 (22) Date of filing: 26.11.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61M 16/00, A61M 31/00, A61M 15/08, A61B 1/00, A61F 11/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US2001/044296 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/045485 (05.06.2003 Gazette 2003/23)

(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 (71) Applicants: Merlyn Associates, Inc. Irvine, CA 92620 (US) Toti, Andrew Joe ModestoCalifornia 95351 (US) Wong, Michael H. Irvine, CA 92620 (US) Kotin, Jay Irvine, CA 92620 (US)	(72) Inventors: TOTI, Andrew, J. Modesto, CA 95351 (US) WONG, Michael, H. Irvine, CA 92620 (US) KOTIN, Jay Irvine, CA 92620 (US) (74) Representative: W.P. Thompson & Co.  Coopers BuildingChurch Street Liverpool L1 3AB Liverpool L1 3AB (GB)