(19)

(11)

EP 1 455 658 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 15.09.2004 Bulletin 2004/38 (21) Application number: 02797473.2 (22) Date of filing: 20.12.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/115 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/041127 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/053255 (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: 20.12.2001 US 342672 P (71) Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP Norwalk, CT 06850 (US)	(72) Inventor: BECK, Joachim 88138 Hergensweiler (DE) (74) Representative: HOFFMANN - EITLE  Patent- und RechtsanwälteArabellastrasse 4 81925 München 81925 München (DE)