(19)

(11)

EP 1 471 838 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 01.04.2004 (43) Date of publication: 03.11.2004 Bulletin 2004/45 (21) Application number: 03731961.3 (22) Date of filing: 16.01.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/20 (86) International application number: PCT/US2003/001449 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/061726 (31.07.2003 Gazette 2003/31)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO (30) Priority: 16.01.2002 US 349061 P 25.01.2002 US 351191 P (71) Applicant: ENCAPSULATION SYSTEMS, INC Broomall, PA 19008 (US)	(72) Inventor: REDDING, Bruce, K., Jr. Broomall, PA 19009 (US) (74) Representative: Pratt, Richard Wilson  D. Young & Co,21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)