(19)

(11)

EP 1 949 069 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 21.12.2007 (43) Date of publication: 30.07.2008 Bulletin 2008/31 (21) Application number: 06779457.8 (22) Date of filing: 15.09.2006

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 1/38(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/GB2006/003445 (87) International publication number: WO 2007/042746 (19.04.2007 Gazette 2007/16)

(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: 11.10.2005 GB 0520599 (71) Applicant: GV Instruments Limited Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 9BE (GB)	(72) Inventors: MEFFAN-MAIN, Simon Manchester M20 4SB (GB) READ, Howard, Graham Manchester M23 9NB (GB) TURNER, Patrick, James Pickering YO18 7SG (GB) (74) Representative: Roberts, Peter David et al Marks & Clerk Sussex House 83-85 Mosley Street Manchester M2 3LG Manchester M2 3LG (GB)