Abstract: An insertion tool and method for easily inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter, particularly a rapid exchange catheter, for use in an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen that merges with the main lumen. The funnel lumen has a first large opening and a second smaller opening aligned with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the large opening of the funnel-shaped extension and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter. The insertion tool may include a tongue or key disposed in the main lumen that is sized to fit in a slot of the catheter to thereby maintain alignment between the funnel lumen and the slot of the catheter.

Abstract: A single operator exchange biliary catheter having a common distal lumen. The biliary catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion defining an ancillary lumen and a distal portion defining a common guidewire and ancillary lumen. The common distal lumen reduces the profile of the distal portion of the shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal guidewire port disposed between the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the shaft to facilitate single operator use. A seal may be disposed adjacent the proximal guidewire port to thereby seal the port. Preferably, the shaft includes a single lumen distal portion and a bitumen proximal portion. The single lumen distal portion of the shaft may be curved and may include a tapered or spherically shaped distal tip.

Abstract: A single operator exchange biliary catheter having a common distal lumen. The biliary catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion defining an ancillary lumen and a distal portion defining a common guidewire and ancillary lumen. The common distal lumen reduces the profile of the distal portion of the shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal guidewire port disposed between the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the shaft to facilitate single operator use. A seal may be disposed adjacent the proximal guidewire port to thereby seal the port. Preferably, the shaft includes a single lumen distal portion and a bitumen proximal portion. The single lumen distal portion of the shaft may be curved and may include a tapered or spherically shaped distal tip.

Abstract: A modular computer system (for example a blade server system) includes a plurality of information processing modules (e.g., server blades). Each information processing module can include a processor operable to provide information processing functions and a service controller operable to provide both management and console functions. A service processor can be connectable via a respective management connection to the service controller of each information processing module. Each management connection between the service processor and a service controller can be operable to carry both management signals and console signals. Management signals to be sent between the service processor and the service controller can be interlaced with console signals via the management connection in one or more management packets bounded by terminal escape sequences.

Abstract: A system unit has at least a first network identity and a second network identity for communicating with a network, and an indication of which of the network identities was effective on the most recent complete initialization of the system unit. On a subsequent initialization of the system unit, for example after moving the system unit, the effective network identity is changed. The indication is reset to the effective network identity if initialization completes. A system unit can thus be taken out of service and then restarted with a different identity. This enables the system unit reliably to check information from the network without fear of conflict with its previous network identity. The system unit can be a service processor that is operable to allocate network identities to further units (e.g. on a shelf on which the service processor resides).

Abstract: A computer system (for example a blade server system) includes a connection framework for receiving at least two replaceable units (e.g., service processor units). Where a first replaceable unit is provided in the connection framework, the first replaceable unit can, on a second replaceable unit being received in the framework, allow restricted use of a default admin user login without a password for up to the end of predetermined period following receipt of the second replaceable unit. On receipt of an admin login with a configured password during the period, or on expiry of the period, the system can revert to normal operation.

Abstract: A multi-function laparoscopic instrument with an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable members, a first actuator coupled to the first movable member, a second actuator coupled to the second movable member, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a drive mechanism, at least one movable trigger pivotably connected with the drive mechanism, and a switching mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having at least two positions, a first position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator to operate the first movable member when the movable trigger is activated and, a second position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator to operate the second movable member when the movable trigger is activated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus represents system management information for components of the system as instances of object classes within a defined inheritance hierarchy. The class inheritance hierarchy includes multiple levels below a root object class including at least a first level below the root object class and a second level below the first level. At least one first level object class at the first level forms an instance of the root class and at least one second level object class at the second level forms an instance at the first level object class. Each instance of an object class has at least one attribute with a value representing a characteristic of that instance of the object class. The method and apparatus involve populating a plurality of tables. The tables are allocated to respective object classes at the multiple levels. The tables are populated with instance entries for instances of the object classes to which the tables are allocated.

Abstract: A multi-function laparoscopic instrument with an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable members, a first actuator coupled to the first movable member, a second actuator coupled to the second movable member, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a drive mechanism, at least one movable trigger pivotably connected with the drive mechanism, and a switching mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having at least two positions, a first position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator to operate the first movable member when the movable trigger is activated and, a second position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator to operate the second movable member when the movable trigger is activated.

Abstract: A processing unit is connectable to a data communications network. The processing unit includes a device reader for a portable storage device. The portable storage device (e.g., a secure smart card) includes storage operable to supply a network identity for the processing unit and an access controller. The access controller is operable to prevent unauthorised writing to the storage. Before reading the network identity from the portable storage device, the processing device attempts a write to the storage of the portable storage device, and, only on determining that the write has failed, reads the supplied network identity. The processing unit is thereby able to check that the portable storage device is a valid secure data storage device and not a counterfeit portable storage device. If it is a genuine secure portable storage device, the write access will not be permitted, whereas if it is a non-secure portable storage device, there is a risk that it is a counterfeit.

Abstract: A portable storage device, for example a secure smart card, contains network identification information for a processing unit that is connectable to a data communications network, which processing unit includes a device reader for reading the portable storage device. The portable storage device includes storage and an access controller. The storage holds a network identity for the processing unit and at least one encryption key. The access controller is operable to control access to the storage by implementing key-key encryption. An embodiment of the invention thus provides a medium not only for storing a network identity for processing unit, but also for other secure information such as an encryption key associated therewith.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly; a shaft connected on one end to the handle assembly; and an end assembly extending from the other end of the shaft. The end assembly is constructed to include a fixed member including on one portion thereof a fixed scissor blade and on another portion thereof a fixed forcep jaw. The end assembly also includes a pivotable scissor blade for cutting tissue between the fixed scissor blade and the pivotable scissor blade and a pivotable forcep jaw for grasping tissue between the fixed forcep jaw and the pivotable forcep jaw.

Abstract: A single operator exchange biliary catheter having a common distal lumen. The biliary catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion defining an ancillary lumen and a distal portion defining a common guidewire and ancillary lumen. The common distal lumen reduces the profile of the distal portion of the shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal guidewire port disposed between the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the shaft to facilitate single operator use. A seal may be disposed adjacent the proximal guidewire port to thereby seal the port. Preferably, the shaft includes a single lumen distal portion and a bi-lumen proximal portion. The single lumen distal portion of the shaft may be curved and may include a tapered or spherically shaped distal tip.