Abstract: A process-driven object management system for managing data and code modules is disclosed. The object management system includes a repository that stores objects, wherein ones of the objects referred to as “Asset elements” each describe a respective code or data module. The object management system includes a set of scripted tools for performing renovation, transformation, and code development tasks on the code and data modules. According to one aspect of the invention, the tool invocation constructs are stored as objects in the repository, such that some of the same object management tools and automated repository interface functions used to manage the Asset element can also be used to manage and veiw the tool objects.

Abstract: An improved administration system for use in managing and reporting skill assessment data entered by users of a skill assessment tool is disclosed. The skill assessment tool of the preferred embodiment may include a large skill set of possibly-unrelated skills. A large, diverse use population may employ the skill assessment tool to enter data rating a user's proficiency at performing ones of the skills in the skill set. The resulting skill assessment data may therefore be both extensive and diverse. The administration system allows the skill assessment data to be reported using any selectable subset of the users or any selectable subset of the skills supported by the skill assessment tool.

Abstract: A directory-based cache coherency system is disclosed for use in a data processing system having multiple Instruction Processors (IP) and multiple Input/Output (I/O) units coupled through a shared main memory. The system includes one or more IP cache memories, each coupled to one or more IPs and to the shared main memory for caching units of data referred to as cache lines. The system further includes one or more I/O memories within ones of the I/O units, each I/O memory being coupled to the shared main memory for storing cache lines retrieved from the shared main memory. Coherency is maintained through the use of a central directory which stores status for each of the cache lines in the system. The status indicates the identity of the IP caches and the I/O memories having valid copies of a given cache line, and further identifies a set of access privileges, that is, the cache line “state”, associated with the cache line.

Abstract: An improved skill set assessment system and method is disclosed for allowing a user to assess the user's proficiency at performing a predetermined set of skills related to the user's employment position. A user may complete the skill assessment process by reviewing only a subset of skills relevant to the user's current employment position, rather than the comprehensive list of skills provided by the assessment tool. This ability to review an abbreviated list of skills is obtained by using a minimum skill set definition. Minimum skill set definitions may be defined to reflect the hierarchical structure of the organization employing the assessment system.

Abstract: A data by-pass system for a hierarchical, multi-level, memory is disclosed. The by-pass system provides by-pass interfaces between storage devices located at predetermined levels within the memory hierarchy. The hierarchical memory system of the preferred embodiment includes a main memory coupled to multiple first storage devices that each stores addressable portions of data signals retrieved from the main memory. To facilitate a more efficient transfer of data between the various storage devices in the memory system, at least one by-pass interface coupling associated ones of the first storage devices is provided. Data retrieved from a target one of the first storage devices in response to a main memory request can be routed to a different requesting one of the first storage devices via the by-pass system without requiring the use of the main memory data interfaces.

Abstract: An improved fault detection system and method for detecting the occurrence of faults within the addressing logic of a storage device is provided. Data stored to a selected address within a storage device includes a copy of the selected address. During a subsequent read operation, the copy of the address is read from memory and compared to the read address used to perform the memory access. If the addresses are not the same, a potential addressing fault occurred within the control logic of the storage device. The fault detection system is particularly adaptable for use with storage devices having a relatively small number of addressable locations, each containing a relatively large number of bits. According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage device is a General Register Array (GRA) utilized as a queue.

Abstract: A hierarchical memory structure includes a directory-based main memory coupled to multiple first storage devices, each to store data signals retrieved from the main memory. Ones of the first storage devices are further respectively coupled to second storage devices, each to store data signals retrieved from the respectively coupled first storage devices. Fetch requests to retrieve data signals are issued by ones of the storage devices to the main memory. In response, the main memory determines where the most recent data copy resides, and issues a return request, if necessary to retrieve that copy for the requesting storage device. A speculative return generation logic circuit is coupled to at least two of the first storage devices to intercept the fetch requests. In response to an intercepted request, the speculative return generation logic circuit generates a speculative return request directly to one or more of the other coupled first storage devices.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for allowing users to interactively develop search queries is provided. The system performs query development utilizing a hierarchical concept tree stored in memory, wherein the nodes of the concept tree are concepts that describe various search topics. Parent/child relationships are created between the concepts, with children concepts describing sub-categories of a parent concept, and so on. Any concept at any level in the tree structure may be related to one or more character strings descriptive of the related concept. Query development is performed by traversing the various relationships in the hierarchical tree structure to selectively add related character strings to a potential query. According to one embodiment, the user is allowed to control the manner and extent of the traversal, and is further allowed to de-select any located concepts and character strings for further use in query development.

Abstract: A memory request management system for use with a memory system employing a directory-based cache coherency scheme is disclosed. The memory system includes a main memory coupled to receive requests from multiple cache memories. Directory-based logic is used to determine that some requests presented to the main memory can not be completed immediately because the most recent copy of the requested data must be retrieved from another cache memory. These requests are stored in a temporary storage structure and identified as “deferred” requests. Subsequently, predetermined ones of the memory requests that are requesting access to the same main memory address as is being requested by any deferred request are also deferred. When a data retrieval operation is completed, an associated request is designated as undeferred so that processing for that request may be completed, and the request may be removed from the temporary storage structure.

Abstract: A request invalidation system for invalidating pending requests within a data processing system is disclosed. According to the system of the preferred embodiment, one or more requesting units may make requests to gain access to one or more shared resources. These requests are stored in a central request storage unit and are processed according to a predetermined priority scheme. Each request includes multiple fields for storing information about the request. Within the data processing system, error indicators are provided to indicate the occurrence of a fault, and to further provide an error indication value that provides information about the nature of the fault. Ones of these error indicators are associated with a respective one of the request fields. According to the current request invalidation system, mode control logic is provided to programmably select one of the request fields as the invalidation field.

Abstract: An improved directory-based, hierarchical memory system is disclosed that is capable of simultaneously processing multiple ownership requests initiated by a processor that is coupled to the memory. An ownership request is initiated on behalf of a processor to obtain an exclusive copy of memory data that may then be modified by the processor. In the data processing system of the preferred embodiment, multiple processors are each coupled to a respective cache memory. These cache memories are further coupled to a hierarchical memory structure including a main memory and one or more additional intermediate levels of cache memory. As is known in the art, copies of addressable portions of the main memory may reside in one or more of the cache memories within the hierarchical memory system. A memory directory records the location and status of each addressable portion of memory so that coherency may be maintained.

Abstract: A medical lead having a diameter of no greater than 3 French and employing an insulation material that is substantially stiffer than would normally be employed in the context of a permanently implantable cardiac pacing lead is disclosed. A material having a Young's modulus of at least 25,000 pounds per square inch such as Pellethane 2363-75D, or an even stiffer polymer, is used to provide a lead body that does not exhibit a whip-like effect in response to such movement as would occur during a heart beat. In order to prevent the increased stiffness of the lead body from increasing the possibility that the distal lead tip will perforate the heart tissue, the lead is provided with a distal surface that is not reduced in size. This surface reduces the pressure exerted by the distal lead tip upon body tissue to no greater than 3.6 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A programmable address translation system for a modular main memory is provided. The system is implemented using one or more General Register Arrays (GRAs), wherein each GRA performs logical-to-physical address translation for a predetermined address range within the system. Predetermined bits of a logical address are used to address a GRA associated with the logical address range. Data bits read from the GRA are then substituted for the predetermined bits of the logical address to form the physical address. In this manner, non-contiguous addressable banks of physical memory may be mapped to a selectable contiguous address range. By including within the GRA Address a number N of logical address bits used to address contiguous logical addresses, an address translation mechanism is provided which may be programmed to perform between 2-way and 2N-way address interleaving.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and method for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, for example, atrial fibrillation, by electrically isolating a vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, from a chamber, such as the left atrium. The catheter assembly includes a catheter body and at least one electrode. The catheter body includes a proximal portion, an intermediate portion and a distal portion. The intermediate portion extends from the proximal portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal portion extends from the intermediate portion and forms a substantially closed loop transverse to the longitudinal axis. The at least one electrode is disposed along the loop. With this configuration, the loop is axially directed into contact with the chamber wall about the vessel ostium. Upon energization, the electrode ablates a continuous lesion pattern about the vessel ostium, thereby electrically isolating the vessel from the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing rf intraluminal reduction and/or occlusion with a virtual electrode. An apparatus in accord with the present invention includes a catheter and a guide wire. The guide wire includes a conductive core having a proximal end electrically connected to a generator of rf current and an exposed distal end. An insulative material having disposed therein at least one microlumen for providing a conductive fluid to a target site within the lumen encases the guide wire. In a method in accord with the present invention, an rf conductive fluid is introduced at the target site in a body lumen. Radio frequency current is applied to the site by a conductive electrode through the conductive fluid, causing the connective tissues in the lumen walls to heat and contract. Application of the rf current is discontinued when the lumen wall has contracted or been reduced to the desired extent, which will often be complete occlusion.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for allowing users to interactively modify a search index used in performing concept-based searches. The system includes a repository for storing a network of natural language concepts. The repository further stores associations between selected ones of the natural language concepts and other data items that are cataloged according to the natural language concepts, wherein the data items may be stored within the repository, or on one or more remote systems. A user provides one or more natural language concepts as a search query used to locate associated ones of the data items. Subsequent iterations of a search may be performed to modify the scope of the search. After successful search results are obtained, the user may create one or more new associations, wherein each association relates any of the one or more natural language concepts included within a query with any selected one of the data items located during any iteration of the search.

Abstract: A signal measuring system for use with an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is provided for measuring physiologic signals having a relatively large effective dynamic range. In one embodiment, the system includes a High-Pass Filter (HPF), an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), a Decimation Filter (DF), and a Compensation Filter (CF). The HPF receives an input signal that includes both the baseline wander imposed on a physiological signal. According to one aspect of the invention, the HPF attenuates low frequency components of the input signal, including a portion of the frequency band within the desired output signal bandwidth. The ADC then oversamples the output signal of the HPF. The DF receives the output samples from the ADC and generates output samples at rate that is at least twice the maximum frequency of the desired output signal. The CF then amplifies the low frequency end of the DF output samples.

Abstract: A medical system having improved telemetry, the medical system featuring a programmer having a programming head. The system provides improved telemetry due to the unique antenna scheme within the programmer head. The antenna scheme utilizes a first antenna and a second antenna, the antennas disposed in a concentric and co-planar manner. This concentric and co-planar disposition permits the programmer head to be of much smaller and, thus, a more portable size than was previously possible. The antenna is further coupled with circuitry or software or both to reduce far field response (noise). The antenna may be constructed using printed circuit board, and thus be integrated with circuitry.

Abstract: Methods for sensing or electrical stimulation of body organs or tissues are disclosed wherein a lead conductor wire or filament of a stranded lead conductor generates a radioactive emission when it is fractured sufficiently or is completely broken. The conductor wire or filament is formed of an inner core and an outer sheath surrounding the inner core, wherein the inner core is irradiated or is formed of a radioactive isotope in an alloy that provides an enhanced radiopaque aura when the sheath is fractured and the inner core is exposed. When the conductor wire or filament is intact, the radioactive inner core is fully encased within the outer sheath, and the outer sheath blocks or reduces radioactive emission along its length to a constant, relatively low level. In use, the emission is detected externally to the body, and the detection signifies that a fracture or break has occurred. Such leads preferably comprise cardiac leads for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart, e.g.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead having at least two mutually insulated electrical components that are separated by a portion of the lead's body fabricated of a plant, extensible biocompatible insulated material. An extensible conductor extends from the proximal end of the lead body to a first one of the electrical components, and a second, inextensible conductor extends from the proximal end of the lead body to a second one of the electrical components. An inextensible reinforcement member is coupled to the inextensible conductor and extends distally from the second electrical component to the first electrical component and is coupled mechanically to the first electrical component.