Abstract: The present application is directed towards systems and methods for monitoring and maintaining consistency of a configuration across a plurality of cores or packet engines in a multi-core system. A configuration manager handles communication of configuration commands to a plurality of cores or packet engines. If a command executes successfully on a first packet engine but fails on a second packet engine, the configuration manager may communicate an undo command to the first packet engine. Successful execution of the undo command may restore the packet engines to a consistent configuration.

Abstract: A method of sensing dispensation of a product from a storage device having an antenna is provided. The method comprises providing a product with a wireless tag within a service area of the antenna, establishing wireless communication between the wireless tag and the antenna, monitoring the wireless communication, and determining, responsive to the monitoring, when the wireless communication has ceased to establish when the product has been dispensed from the storage device. A dispensation-sensing system is also provided. The system comprises a securable storage area, an antenna operable to receive and transmit signals within the securable storage area, and a processor.

Abstract: An adaptive critical low level management system is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a configuration module configured to receive a service level setting and a storage module configured to receive usage information for at least one inventory of at least one type of medical item. The system also includes a processor configured to adaptively determine a critical low level based on the usage information and the service level setting, and an analysis module configured to determine when the critical low level has been reached by the at least one inventory of the at least one type of medical item, and to produce an output indication that the critical low level has been reached.

Abstract: A method of sensing dispensation of a product from a storage device having an antenna is provided. The method comprises providing a product with a wireless tag within a service area of the antenna, establishing wireless communication between the wireless tag and the antenna, monitoring the wireless communication, and determining, responsive to the monitoring, when the wireless communication has ceased to establish when the product has been dispensed from the storage device. A dispensation-sensing system is also provided. The system comprises a securable storage area, an antenna operable to receive and transmit signals within the securable storage area, and a processor.

Abstract: A system and method for managing hedge program liability involving obtaining policyholder information that constitutes the liability portfolio and asset information that constitute the asset portfolio; simulating at least one partial sensitivity and valuation for the liability portfolio for projected market data to obtain valuation simulation data. The system and method then involves using market date information estimating at least one partial sensitivity and valuation of the liability and asset portfolios using the simulated partial sensitivity and the market data. Based on comparing the one estimated partial sensitivity against at least one partial sensitivity limit buying or selling one or more assets to restore the estimated partial sensitivity within the limit if the estimated partial sensitivity breaches the at least one partial sensitivity limit.

Abstract: A method of improving market research to understand the effectiveness of advertising campaigns is provided. A first questionnaire is provided to one or more survey participants that includes questions relating to participant's prior interactions with and beliefs about one or more advertised brands. For a predetermined time, the participants then go about their normal every day activities and simultaneously, while experiencing an advertisement or a brand, they provide, to a survey administrator, communications related to the brand via a mobile telecommunication device. These communications are compiled and displayed. During the predetermined time, an administrator may recommend real-time adjustments to the advertising campaign based on data collected via the communications. Shortly after the predetermined time ends, a second questionnaire is provided, which relates to the participant's interactions during their normal daily activities.

Abstract: A method and system for managing inventory in a healthcare facility, in which it is determined whether a machine-readable tag affixed to at least one of a used item and a container of the used item is deposited in a receptacle. It is automatically communicated to a centralized database that the machine-readable tag has been deposited in the receptacle. A demand signal may be automatically generated demanding a replacement for the used item, when it is determined that the machine-readable tag is deposited in the receptacle. Also, a charge for the used item may be automatically generated on a patient bill stored in the database, when it is determined that the machine-readable tag is deposited in the receptacle.

Abstract: A device is provided for piercing a graft and artery wall in order to retain the graft on the artery. The device has a central section with an abutment surface for contacting the inner wall of the graft and two elongate members with distal ends for contacting the outer wall of the artery when the device is pierced through the graft and artery. The elongate members are biased so as to urge the abutment surface into the graft and retain the graft on the artery.

Abstract: An electric drill (10) has a drive assembly (31, 70), and a pivot head (32) having first and second bit gripping assemblies (14, 22) disposed at 90 degrees to each other. The electric drill (10) also includes means for adjusting the position of the bit gripping assemblies (14, 22) relative to the drive assembly (31, 70) by pivoting the head (32) through 90 degrees, whereby a selected one of the bit gripping assemblies is operatively engaged to the drive assembly. The position adjusting means may include a movable locking sleeve (36) which, in a first position, allows the drive assembly to operatively engage the selected bit gripping assembly and, in a second position, allows the drive assembly to disengage the selected bit gripping assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for evaluating valuations groups of insurance policies.

Abstract: A device is provided for piercing a graft and artery wall in order to retain the graft on the artery. The device has a central section with an abutment surface for contacting the inner wall of the graft and two elongate members with distal ends for contacting the outer wall of the artery when the device is pierced through the graft and artery. The elongate members are biased so as to urge the abutment surface into the graft and retain the graft on the artery.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided which is capable of sewing reinforcing wire to tubular grafts in order to form stent grafts. A bobbin (which may be seated in a shuttle) carries a bottom thread through the bore of the tubular graft and forms a stitch in combination with a top thread carried on a needle which pierces the graft wall.

Abstract: A method for stitching thread onto the wall of a tubular medical implant (preferably a graft) employs a sewing machine with an elongate bobbin or a needle on an elongate element, depending on whether it is desired to sew from the outside-in or the inside-out. A motor rotates and translates the implant, which is mounted on a hollow drum, relative to the needle.