(19)

(11)

EP 1 986 541 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 22.11.2007 (43) Date of publication: 05.11.2008 Bulletin 2008/45 (21) Application number: 07717024.9 (22) Date of filing: 23.01.2007

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 1/005(2006.01) A61B 1/06(2006.01) A61B 1/05(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2007/002096 (87) International publication number: WO 2007/087421 (02.08.2007 Gazette 2007/31)

(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: 23.01.2006 US 761475 P 19.05.2006 US 802056 P 12.12.2006 US 609838 (71) Applicant: Avantis Medical Systems, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA 94085-4511 (US)	(72) Inventors: BAYER, Lex Palo Alto, CA 94306 (US) RASMUSSEN, Fred Sunnyvale, California 94087 (US) (74) Representative: Barlocci, Anna et al ZBM Patents Zea, Barlocci & Markvardsen C/ Balmes, 114 - 4º 08008 Barcelona 08008 Barcelona (ES)