(19)

(11)

EP 2 341 815 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.07.2011 Bulletin 2011/28 (21) Application number: 09790361.1 (22) Date of filing: 14.07.2009

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 1/005(2006.01) A61B 17/34(2006.01) A61B 1/313(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2009/050451 (87) International publication number: WO 2010/009070 (21.01.2010 Gazette 2010/03)

(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 SM TR Designated Extension States: AL BA RS (30) Priority: 14.07.2008 US 172782 14.07.2008 US 172752 (71) Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Cincinnati, OH 45242 (US)

(72) Inventors: BAKOS, Gregory J. Mason OH 45040 (US) FOX, William D. New Richmond OH 45157 (US) SPIVEY, James T. Cincinnati OH 45226 (US) MCDERMOTT, Bernard C. Kiltimagh County Mayo (IE) KELLY, Micheal E. Tubber County Clare (IE) GUINAN, Michelle M. Merlin Park Galway (IE) (74) Representative: Tunstall, Christopher Stephen  Carpmaels & Ransford One Southampton Row GB-London WC1B 5HA GB-London WC1B 5HA (GB)