(19)

(11)

EP 2 097 009 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 28.08.2008 (43) Date of publication: 09.09.2009 Bulletin 2009/37 (21) Application number: 07870148.9 (22) Date of filing: 31.12.2007

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 8/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2007/089231 (87) International publication number: WO 2008/083386 (10.07.2008 Gazette 2008/28)

(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 (30) Priority: 29.12.2006 US 882888 P (71) Applicant: Verathon, Inc. Bothell, WA 98011 (US)	(72) Inventors: YANG, Fuxing Woodinville, WA 98072 (US) WANG, Yanwei Woodinville, WA 98072 (US) MCMORROW, Gerald Redmond, WA 98053 (US) (74) Representative: Cordina, Kevin John  Olswang LLP 90 High Holborn London WC1V 6XX 90 High Holborn London WC1V 6XX (GB)