(19)

(11)

EP 2 211 683 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 28.05.2009 (43) Date of publication: 04.08.2010 Bulletin 2010/31 (21) Application number: 08838489.6 (22) Date of filing: 14.10.2008

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 1/05(2006.01) A61B 1/005(2006.01) A61B 1/018(2006.01) A61B 1/273(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2008/079878 (87) International publication number: WO 2009/049322 (16.04.2009 Gazette 2009/16)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA MK RS (30) Priority: 11.10.2007 US 979367 P (71) Applicant: Avantis Medical Systems, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA 94085-4511 (US)	(72) Inventor: BAYER, Lex Palo Alto California 94306 (US) (74) Representative: ZBM Patents  Zea, Barlocci & Markvardsen Plaza Catalunya, 1 08002 Barcelona 08002 Barcelona (ES)