(19)

(11)

EP 1 740 920 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.01.2007 Bulletin 2007/02 (21) Application number: 04727905.4 (22) Date of filing: 16.04.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01M 11/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/EP2004/050545 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/100943 (27.10.2005 Gazette 2005/43)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB (71) Applicant: Agilent Technologies, Inc. Palo Alto, CA 94306 (US)	(72) Inventors: JAHN, Robert 71131 Oberjettingen (DE) BELLER, Josef 72074 Tübingen (DE) HOFFMANN, Peter 71032 Böblingen (DE) (74) Representative: Neuerburg, Gerhard  Agilent Technologies Deutschland GmbH Patentabteilung Herrenbergerstrasse 130 71034 Böblingen 71034 Böblingen (DE)