(19)

(11)

EP 1 605 812 A2

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.12.2005 Bulletin 2005/51 (21) Application number: 04717923.9 (22) Date of filing: 05.03.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/003370 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/080274 (23.09.2004 Gazette 2004/39)

(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 PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 06.03.2003 US 452040 P 12.08.2003 US 494122 P (71) Applicant: Blanco, Ernesto E. Belmont, MA 02178 (US)	(72) Inventors: BLANCO, Ernesto E. Belmont, MA 02178 (US) WILSHIRE, Gilbert B. Falls Church, VA 22043 (US) (74) Representative: Poulin, Gérard  BREVALEX 3, rue du Docteur Lancereaux 75008 Paris 75008 Paris (FR)