(19)

(11)

EP 1 610 845 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 06.05.2005 (43) Date of publication: 04.01.2006 Bulletin 2006/01 (21) Application number: 04759030.2 (22) Date of filing: 30.03.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61M 1/36(1985.01) A61M 37/00(1968.09) (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/009639 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/091691 (28.10.2004 Gazette 2004/44)

(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: 31.03.2003 US 403567 31.03.2003 US 403538 (71) Applicant: VK Cardiovascular Tech, Inc. Tarrytown, NY 10591 (US)	(72) Inventors: VIJAY, Venkataramana Tarrytown, NY 10591 (US) McCUSKER, Kevin Portsmouth, NH 03801 (US) (74) Representative: Davies, Gregory Mark  Urquhart-Dykes & Lord LLP Three Trinity Court, 21-27 Newport Road Cardiff CF24 0AA Cardiff CF24 0AA (GB)