Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for automating the establishment of generator-listener communication within a distributed environment. A software module known as an event router monitors objects present in the distributed environment and registers listeners with generators according to a set of rules established within, or accessible to, the event router. In one embodiment the event router registers listeners with generators. In another embodiment the event router directs events to a Tuple Space.

Abstract: A novel method, system and service for delivering and instantiating resources and services in a distributed system is described. The invention removes dependencies on location, and the need for location-awareness that are present in existing products and practices. Instead of a lookup service pointing to a specific resource base, the invention returns a proxy that uses a resource service to locate and access resources. The present invention provides a highly-available resource base, allows for load balancing resource bases, admits of any other policy-based decisions (such as cost, speed, or quality of service) on where to retrieve a resource from. For service proxy writers, the invention does not require them to commit in advance to an specific code base servers. Using this method, a priori knowledge of specific resource bases is not required, allowing applications to be constructed dynamically and from the most appropriate resources.

Abstract: A medical coupling has male and female members (1, 2) which push fit together, and a screw cap (7) which secures the members against separation. To prevent unintentional release of the cap, locking means, such as a ratchet and pawl mechanism, are provided between the cap and female member. Au outer shell (25) can enclose the cap for providing an enclosure around the fluid connection to deter bacterial contamination. Alternatively a separate capsule can enclose the coupling for this purpose. The two members and cap are connectable by holding gripping portions which are located remotely from the parts forming the fluid connection to reduce risk of contamination. A valve system is associated with the female member for closing a flexible tube connected to this member and to displace liquid to fill the space left in this member when the male member is disconnected from it.

Abstract: A securing device for medical and surgical use has two parts which may be separate or integrally connected, one part including an eye (3) with a latching pawl (4) and the other part including a flexible strip (1) with ratchet teeth (2) so that the strip can be advanced through the eye to adjust the effective length of the flexible strip, but is locked against reverse movement. In one embodiment the parts are integral and a needle (7) is attached to the free end of the flexible strip, the device being a surgical suture. In another embodiment the parts are separate and are adapted to engage respective body parts of a patient which are to be held together by the device.

Abstract: An intra-operative colon irrigation system includes a drain tube (1) having a cylindrical body (10) with a forward end formed by a dome-shaped nozzle to prevent intussusception of the bowel into the drain tube. The forward end portion of the body is inserted into the bowel, and a rear end portion has a lug (26) with eyes (27) or securing `cable straps` (29) which are applied around the body and the collapsed bowel segment downstream of the bowel opening. To assist in breaking up solid faecal masses the drain tube includes an ultra-sonic device (16) or other means.