(19)

(11)

EP 1 740 112 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.01.2007 Bulletin 2007/02 (21) Application number: 05735206.4 (22) Date of filing: 15.04.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/70(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/012657 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/104970 (10.11.2005 Gazette 2005/45)

(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: 16.04.2004 US 825962 30.12.2004 US 27500 30.12.2004 US 27501 (71) Applicant: Kyphon Inc. Sunnyvale, CA 94089 (US)	(72) Inventors: MARKWORTH, Aaron D. Mountain View, CA 94043 (US) MALANDAIN, Hugues F. Mountain View, CA 94043 (US) (74) Representative: Wombwell, Francis  Potts, Kerr & Co. 15, Hamilton Square Birkenhead Merseyside CH41 6BR Birkenhead Merseyside CH41 6BR (GB)