(19)

(11)

EP 1 453 421 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 27.11.2003 (43) Date of publication: 08.09.2004 Bulletin 2004/37 (21) Application number: 02788083.0 (22) Date of filing: 10.12.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/02 (86) International application number: PCT/GB2002/005573 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/053229 (03.07.2003 Gazette 2003/27)

(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 SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO (30) Priority: 10.12.2001 GB 0129521 (71) Applicant: Fulcrum (Medical Devices) Limited London, Greater London W4 2QN (GB)	(72) Inventor: SINDING, Paul London W4 2SA (GB) (74) Representative: Grey, Ian et al Venner, Shipley & Co.,20 Little Britain London EC1A 7DH London EC1A 7DH (GB)