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(11)

EP 2 139 405 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 06.01.2010 Bulletin 2010/01 (21) Application number: 07728770.4 (22) Date of filing: 03.05.2007

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/11(2006.01) A61B 17/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/EP2007/054317 (87) International publication number: WO 2008/135082 (13.11.2008 Gazette 2008/46)

(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 (71) Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio 45242-2839 (US)	(72) Inventors: PASTORELLI, Alessandro I-00136 Roma (IT) TACCHINO, Roberto I-00136 Roma (IT) (74) Representative: Leihkauf, Steffen Falk et al Jacobacci & Partners S.p.A. Via Senato 8 20121 Milano 20121 Milano (IT)