(19)

(11)

EP 1 830 723 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 07.12.2006 (43) Date of publication: 12.09.2007 Bulletin 2007/37 (21) Application number: 05855251.4 (22) Date of filing: 21.12.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/58(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/046659 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/071742 (06.07.2006 Gazette 2006/27)

(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 LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 27.12.2004 US 24171 (71) Applicant: N Spine, Inc. San Diego, CA 92121-3239 (US)	(72) Inventors: JAHNG, Tae-ahn Iksan 560-160 (KR) YIM, Jason Solana Beach, CA 92075 (US) BOWMAN, Brian Solana Beach, CA 92075 (US) (74) Representative: Price, Nigel John King  J.A. KEMP & CO. 14 South Square Gray's Inn London WC1R 5JJ London WC1R 5JJ (GB)