(19)

(11)

EP 1 581 136 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 05.10.2005 Bulletin 2005/40 (21) Application number: 02797364.3 (22) Date of filing: 16.12.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61C 3/00, A61B 5/05 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/040274 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/058089 (15.07.2004 Gazette 2004/29)

(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 (71) Applicant: ORMCO CORPORATION Orange, CA 92867 (US)	(72) Inventor: Weber, Joseph C. Indianapolis, IN 46256 (US) (74) Representative: Findlay, Alice Rosemary et al Lloyd Wise Commonwealth House, 1-19 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1LW London WC1A 1LW (GB)