(19)

(11)

EP 1 616 182 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 10.03.2005 (43) Date of publication: 18.01.2006 Bulletin 2006/03 (21) Application number: 04757538.6 (22) Date of filing: 17.03.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 33/53(1985.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/008083 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/082627 (30.09.2004 Gazette 2004/40)

(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: 18.03.2003 US 455457 P (71) Applicant: ETHICON, INC. Somerville, New Jersey 08876-0151 (US)	(72) Inventor: GENSINI, Michel Flemington, NJ 08822 (US) (74) Representative: Mercer, Christopher Paul  Carpmaels & Ransford, 43-45 Bloomsbury Square London WC1A 2RA London WC1A 2RA (GB)