(19)

(11)

EP 1 616 166 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.01.2006 Bulletin 2006/03 (21) Application number: 03723993.6 (22) Date of filing: 07.04.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 1/10(1968.09) B01L 3/00(1968.09) G01N 21/85(1980.01) B01L 9/00(1968.09) (86) International application number: PCT/US2003/011281 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/099757 (18.11.2004 Gazette 2004/47)

(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 RO SE SI SK TR (71) Applicant: Systec, Inc. New Brighton, MN 55112 (US)	(72) Inventors: GERNER, Yuri Mendota Heights, MN 55120 (US) SIMS, Carl St. Paul, MN 55116 (US) THIELEN, Thomas, J. Plymouth, MN 55422 (US) (74) Representative: Johnstone, Helen Margaret  Eric Potter Clarkson Park View House 58 The Ropewalk Nottingham NG1 5DD Nottingham NG1 5DD (GB)