(19)

(11)

EP 1 689 474 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 06.07.2006 (43) Date of publication: 16.08.2006 Bulletin 2006/33 (21) Application number: 04820761.7 (22) Date of filing: 18.11.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61M 11/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/038477 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/060480 (07.07.2005 Gazette 2005/27)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR IT Designated Extension States: AL HR LT LV MK YU (30) Priority: 04.12.2003 US 726627 14.05.2004 US 845411 (71) Applicant: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC. Danbury, CT 06810-5113 (US)	(72) Inventors: GAMARD, Stephan, C. Buffalo, NY 14214 (US) BIELEC, Bryan, R. Hamburg, NY 14075 (US) (74) Representative: Schwan - Schwan - Schorer  Patentanwälte European Patent Attorneys Bauerstrasse 22 D-80796 München D-80796 München (DE)