Abstract: Notification of an event related to a performance degradation in a network node of a plurality of network nodes in a network is received. The notification is forwarded to a client device. Cache priming is performed based, at least in part, on a network graph that defines connectivity among at least some of the plurality of network nodes. Cache priming includes determining a set of impacted network nodes of the plurality of network nodes that is impacted by the performance degradation based on the connectivity defined by the network graph. Cache priming includes reducing the set of impacted network nodes to a subset of the impacted network nodes. Cache priming also includes retrieving from a persistent data storage device, data defining the subset of the impacted network nodes and storing the data defining the subset of the impacted network nodes in a memory.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring containerized applications are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a containerized application that includes application program instructions and application runtime environment components is installed within an application server. An application manager determines an operational configuration of the containerized application within the application server. The application manager determines a monitor container image based, at least in part, on the determined operational configuration and an application container image of the containerized application. The application manager installs the monitor container image as a containerized monitor application that includes monitor program instructions and monitor runtime environment components that operate as a distinct execution unit managed by the same virtualization engine and the operating system kernel that manage runtime processes of the containerized application.

Abstract: To effectively manage virtualized components, a virtual network manager aggregates components into entities and maintains an entity inventory that indicates available resources within a virtual network. However, aggregating components into entities and managing the entity inventory as components come on/offline can be computationally intensive. To reduce computation time and improve consistency, the virtual network manager uses a key service that associates components with entity keys. When a component is again instantiated within a virtual network, the virtual network manager passes an identifier for the component to the key service to retrieve an associated entity key. The virtual network manager then uses the entity key to quickly determine an entity that comprises the component and updates a record of the entity in the entity inventory with the component's data.

Abstract: Communication between virtual and physical management tools can be hindered as new features or data are added to virtual network management tools which are incompatible with older versions of traditional network management software. To maintain compatibility with older software, a virtual network manager stores version compatibility numbers for data within an entity inventory. The entity inventory indicates active entities in a virtual network. When another management tool communicates with the virtual network manager, the management tool can register with a software version number or include a version number in a data request. The virtual network manager uses the version number to retrieve compatible data from the entity inventory and generate compatible entity models. The entity models may include more or less data and be formatted differently based on the version number received.

Abstract: A simulated network comprised of a plurality of network elements is created. For each network element of the plurality of network elements, a normalized version of the network element is created. A different network element already in the simulated network to which the network element is to be connected is determined. The network element is mapped to the different network element. The normalized version of the network element is stored into a first normalized inventory. A network simulation of the simulated network is executed, wherein executing the network simulation comprises outputting a plurality of messages. A message of the plurality of messages comprises a quantity and attributes of a set of network elements of the plurality of network elements having network element type that is the same, wherein the attributes of the set of network elements are from a technology-specific perspective.

Abstract: A scenario is parsed to determine a set of declarations that define creation of a simulated network having a plurality of network elements, wherein the set of declarations define a type and a quantity for each of the plurality of network elements and defines at least one technology type for a plurality of mock inventory messages to be output from a network simulation of the simulated network. Normalized versions of the plurality of network elements are created based on the type and the quantity defined by the set of declarations. The network simulation of the simulated network is executed and includes outputting the plurality of mock inventory messages that include attributes and status of the plurality of network element from a perspective of the at least one technology type.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring containerized applications are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a containerized application that includes application program instructions and application runtime environment components is installed within an application server. An application manager determines an operational configuration of the containerized application within the application server. The application manager determines a monitor container image based, at least in part, on the determined operational configuration and an application container image of the containerized application. The application manager installs the monitor container image as a containerized monitor application that includes monitor program instructions and monitor runtime environment components that operate as a distinct execution unit managed by the same virtualization engine and the operating system kernel that manage runtime processes of the containerized application.

Abstract: Notification of an event related to a performance degradation in a network node of a plurality of network nodes in a network is received. The notification is forwarded to a client device. Cache priming is performed based, at least in part, on a network graph that defines connectivity among at least some of the plurality of network nodes. Cache priming includes determining a set of impacted network nodes of the plurality of network nodes that is impacted by the performance degradation based on the connectivity defined by the network graph. Cache priming includes reducing the set of impacted network nodes to a subset of the impacted network nodes. Cache priming also includes retrieving from a persistent data storage device, data defining the subset of the impacted network nodes and storing the data defining the subset of the impacted network nodes in a memory.

Abstract: A disposable kit for use in directing fluid through a biological cell separator device (10). The kit generally includes a separator tube (22), a buffer fluid container (34), cell sample container (32), separated cell container (60), and flushing fluid container (62), as well as various conduits (36, 38, 42, 50, 50a, 50b) for connecting the containers (32, 34, 60, 62) and separator tube (22) in fluid communication together. A cell separator system is provided including a separator tube (22), magnet (20), pump (120) and a motorized drive unit (96). The motorized drive unit (96) is operatively connected to the magnet (20) to allow the magnet (20) to be moved a sufficient distance away from the separator tube (22) so as to allow cells adhered to the inside surface thereof to be flushed out of the tube (22).

Abstract: A disposable kit for use in directing fluid through a biological cell separator device (10). The kit generally includes a separator tube (22), a buffer fluid container (34), cell sample container (32), separated cell container (60), and flushing fluid container (62), as well as various conduits (36, 38, 42, 50, 50a, 50b) for connecting the containers (32, 34, 60, 62) and separator tube (22) in fluid communication together. A cell separator system is provided including a separator tube (22), magnet (20), pump (120) and a motorized drive unit (96). The motorized drive unit (96) is operatively connected to the magnet (20) to allow the magnet (20) to be moved a sufficient distance away from the separator tube (22) so as to allow cells adhered to the inside surface thereof to be flushed out of the tube (22).

Abstract: An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.

Abstract: An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.

Abstract: An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.

Abstract: An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.

Abstract: Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by means of the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for stabilizing tissue within a patient's body during a surgical operation to provide a relatively motionless surgical field, such as during a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The devices include tissue stabilizers which engage and provide stabilization to a targeted area of tissue and further have the ability to engage and manipulate some portion of tissue within or adjacent the targeted area to improve the surgical presentation of that portion of tissue. The tissue stabilizer typically has one or more stabilizer feet which have a first foot portion configured to provide stabilization to the targeted tissue and a second foot portion moveable relative to the first foot portion for manipulating a portion of tissue to improve the surgical presentation.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for stabilizing tissue within a patient's body during a surgical operation to provide a relatively motionless surgical field, such as during a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The devices include tissue stabilizers which engage and provide stabilization to a targeted area of tissue and further have the ability to engage and manipulate some portion of tissue within or adjacent the targeted area to improve the surgical presentation of that portion of tissue. The tissue stabilizer typically has one or more stabilizer feet which have a first foot portion configured to provide stabilization to the targeted tissue and a second foot portion moveable relative to the first foot portion for manipulating a portion of tissue to improve the surgical presentation.

Abstract: An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.

Abstract: Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by means of the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed.