Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands, and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing, and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.

Abstract: An attachment and sealing system for securing a combustor cap assembly to a combustion chamber, while providing effective cooling to the combustor cap assembly aft end, is disclosed. The combustor cap assembly is secured within a combustion chamber by a plurality of pins such that the aft end region of the combustor cap assembly is cooled by a fluid medium that is injected through a plurality of first holes in the combustion chamber wall. A generally annular seal, which encompasses the combustor cap assembly, has a plurality of raised ridges, which are in sealing contact with the combustion chamber wall. Multiple embodiments are disclosed regarding the length of the generally annular seal and position and orientation of the plurality of first cooling holes in the combustion chamber wall.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient. The artificial grafts may have shapes other than tubular. Certain procedural and apparatus aspects of the invention have uses other than in connection with grafting in general or tubular grafting in particular.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods of data processing are disclosed in which hierarchical levels of fault/event management are provided that intelligently monitor hardware and software and proactively take action in accordance with a defined fault policy. A fault policy based on a defined hierarchy ensures that for each particular type of failure the most appropriate action is taken. In one embodiment, a master Software Resiliency Manager (SRM) serves as the top hierarchical level fault/event manager, with one or more slave SRMs serving as the next hierarchical level fault/event manager. The software applications resident on each board can also include sub-processes (e.g., local resiliency managers or LRMs) that serve as the lowest hierarchical level fault/event managers.

Abstract: A crossfire tube assembly with telescoping inner and outer crossfire tubes with an enhanced cooling mechanism for connecting adjacent combustors in a gas turbine is disclosed. The enhanced cooling configuration includes a plurality of channels formed in the telescoping region of the inner and outer crossfire tubes of the assembly to improve heat transfer and reduce local operating temperatures such that component life is extended.

Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.

Abstract: A distributed software redundancy design is disclosed to minimize network outages and other problems associated with component/process failures by spreading software backup (in the so-called “hot state”) across multiple elements. The distributed redundancy architecture of the present invention also permits the location of the hardware backup element to float, that is, if a primary element fails, the functions can be transferred over to the backup element. When the failed primary element is replaced, the replacement hardware can serve as the hardware backup. If one or more of the primary processes on a particular element experiences a software fault, the processor on the line card may terminate and restart the failing process or processes. Once the process or processes are restarted, a copy of the last known dynamic state (i.e.

Abstract: An apparatus is attachable to a conventional snowboard to convert the snowboard into a snow scooter having improved performance characteristics in comparison to those of the snowboard alone. The apparatus includes two handle assemblies attached to the front and rear portions of the snowboard and including respectively front and rear pole-like handles fixed to and extending upwardly from the snowboard during riding of the scooter. A rider standing on the middle portion of the snowboard and grasping the two handles can exert twisting, bowing, and other forces on the snowboard through the handles allowing him or her to ride the scooter without the use of foot bindings binding his feet to the scooter.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for fault isolation in a computer system, such as a network device. The method calls for providing a plurality of modular processes, and forming groups, based on hardware in the computer system, of one or more of the plurality of modular processes. A fault within a group is detected, and recovery from the detected fault is accomplished without affecting processes or hardware in other groups.

Abstract: An apparatus is attachable to a conventional snowboard to convert the snowboard into a snow scooter having improved performance characteristics in comparison to those of the snowboard alone. The apparatus includes a member movable relative to the snowboard by either the hands or feet of the rider, and forces and motions applied to that member by the rider are converted by an associated motion and force transmitting mechanism into twisting motions of the rear portion of the snowboard relative to the front portion of the snowboard, allowing the scooter rider to better perform turns and other maneuvers during the riding of the scooter and also allowing the rider to ride the snow scooter without foot bindings fixing his feet to the scooter.

Abstract: A crossfire tube assembly with telescoping inner and outer crossfire tubes with an enhanced cooling mechanism for connecting adjacent combustors in a gas turbine is disclosed. The enhanced cooling configuration includes a plurality of channels formed in the telescoping region of the inner and outer crossfire tubes of the assembly to improve heat transfer and reduce local operating temperatures such that component life is extended.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer system having a modular control process, and a modular device driver process that works in conjunction with the control process. The device driver process is capable of continuing operation even if the control process is terminated, for example, upon detection of a fault. In one aspect, the invention provides a network device that includes a control plane and a data plane. The control plane includes a modular control application for establishing and terminating network connections, and the data plane has an independent, modular device driver process for transmitting data over network connections established by the control application. The device driver process is capable of continuing to transmit data over established network connections even if the control application is terminated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient.

Abstract: A bypass graft conduit is installed in the circulatory system of a patient using apparatus which facilitates performing most or all of the necessary work intraluminally (i.e., via lumens of the patient's circulatory system). A guide structure such as a wire is installed in the patient via circulatory system lumens so that a portion of the guide structure extends along the desired path of the bypass conduit, which bypass conduit path is outside the circulatory system as it exists prior to installation of the bypass graft. The bypass graft is then introduced into the patient along the guide structure and connected at each of its ends to the circulatory system using connectors that form fluid-tight annular openings from the bypass graft lumen into the adjacent circulatory system lumens. The guide structure is then pulled out of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is installed at the operative site primarily by providing at least one graft location with instrumentation inserted through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. Assistance in installing the new tubing may be provided by minimally invasive surgical access openings in the patient's chest. The tubing may be delivered through the patient's existing tubular body structure or, alternatively, through the surgical access openings.

Abstract: The present invention is a project management method, system and software product for aiding a user in attaining goals. The system has a goal field for describing a goal, a plurality of obstacle fields for describing a plurality of obstacles to be overcome in attaining the goal, and a plurality of strategy fields for describing a plurality of strategies for overcoming the plurality of obstacles to achieve a result correlated with the goal. Each obstacle field in the plurality of obstacle fields is linked to the goal field, has a unique associated strategy field in the plurality of strategy fields, and is linked with the unique associated strategy field.

Abstract: A bypass graft conduit is installed in the circulatory system of a patient using apparatus which facilitates performing most or all of the necessary work intraluminally (i.e., via lumens of the patient's circulatory system). A guide structure such as a wire is installed in the patient via circulatory system lumens so that a portion of the guide structure extends along the desired path of the bypass conduit, which bypass conduit path is outside the circulatory system as it exists prior to installation of the bypass graft. The bypass graft is then introduced into the patient along the guide structure and connected at each of its ends to the circulatory system using connectors that form fluid-tight annular openings from the bypass graft lumen into the adjacent circulatory system lumens. The guide structure is then pulled out of the patient.

Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.

Abstract: A bypass graft conduit is installed in the circulatory system of a patient using apparatus which facilitates performing most or all of the necessary work intraluminally (i.e., via lumens of the patient's circulatory system). A guide structure such as a wire is installed in the patient via circulatory system lumens so that a portion of the guide structure extends along the desired path of the bypass conduit, which bypass conduit path is outside the circulatory system as it exists prior to installation of the bypass graft. The bypass graft is then introduced into the patient along the guide structure and connected at each of its ends to the circulatory system using connectors that form fluid-tight annular openings from the bypass graft lumen into the adjacent circulatory system lumens. The guide structure is then pulled out of the patient.