(19)

(11)

EP 2 020 955 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 11.02.2009 Bulletin 2009/07 (21) Application number: 07762087.0 (22) Date of filing: 10.05.2007

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61F 2/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2007/068658 (87) International publication number: WO 2008/140519 (20.11.2008 Gazette 2008/47)

(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 LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA HR MK RS (71) Applicant: Depuy Spine, Inc. Raynham, MA 02767 (US)	(72) Inventor: SOMMERICH, Robert Norton, Massachusettes 02766 (US) (74) Representative: Orr, Robert  Urquhart-Dykes & Lord LLP Tower North Central Merrion Way Leeds LS2 8PA Leeds LS2 8PA (GB)