(19)

(11)

EP 2 731 520 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.05.2014 Bulletin 2014/21 (21) Application number: 12812030.0 (22) Date of filing: 12.07.2012

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/34(2006.01) A61M 39/06(2006.01) A61B 17/02(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2012/046411 (87) International publication number: WO 2013/009957 (17.01.2013 Gazette 2013/03)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AL 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 RS SE SI SK SM TR (30) Priority: 13.07.2011 US 201161507175 P (71) Applicant: Covidien LP Mansfield, MA 02048 (US)	(72) Inventor: SMITH, Robert C. Middletown, Connecticut 06455 (US) (74) Representative: Soames, Candida Jane  Maschio & Soames LLP 20 Carlton Crescent Southampton, SO15 2ET Southampton, SO15 2ET (GB)