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(11)

EP 1 750 587 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.02.2007 Bulletin 2007/07 (21) Application number: 05748409.9 (22) Date of filing: 11.05.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 8/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/016406 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/110236 (24.11.2005 Gazette 2005/47)

(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: 11.05.2004 US 569829 P (71) Applicant: Maternus Partners, Ltd. San Antonio, TX 78248 (US)	(72) Inventor: WATSON, Richard, L., Jr. McPherson, KS 67460 (US) (74) Representative: Chapman, Paul Gilmour et al Marks & Clerk Scotland 19 Royal Exchange Square Glasgow G1 3AE Scotland Glasgow G1 3AE Scotland (GB)