(19)

(11)

EP 2 278 915 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.02.2011 Bulletin 2011/05 (21) Application number: 09743690.1 (22) Date of filing: 07.05.2009

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 5/027(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2009/043183 (87) International publication number: WO 2009/137704 (12.11.2009 Gazette 2009/46)

(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 MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA RS (30) Priority: 07.05.2008 US 51340 P 14.07.2008 US 172922 (71) Applicant: Volcano Corporation San Antonio, TX 78247 (US)	(72) Inventors: KEMP, Nathaniel, J. Austin, TX 78749 (US) MILNER, Thomas, E. Austin, TX 78731 (US) (74) Representative: Michalski, Stefan  Michalski Hüttermann & Partner Patentanwälte Neuer Zollhof 2 40221 Düsseldorf 40221 Düsseldorf (DE)