(19)

(11)

EP 1 729 661 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 22.12.2005 (43) Date of publication: 13.12.2006 Bulletin 2006/50 (21) Application number: 05733107.6 (22) Date of filing: 04.04.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/56(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/011742 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/096971 (20.10.2005 Gazette 2005/42)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 02.04.2004 US 816777 (71) Applicant: Vaughan Medical Technologies, INC. Dallas, TX 75205 (US)	(72) Inventor: VAUGHAN, Paul, A Dallas, TX 75205 (US) (74) Representative: Lawrence, John  Barker Brettell, 138 Hagley Road, Edgbaston Birmingham B16 9PW Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)