Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems for managing VoIP network elements are provided. Methods include receiving call details records (CDRs) from a plurality of network elements. The received CDRs including disconnect cause codes and telephone call correlation identifiers. The received CDRs are correlated to telephone calls based on the telephone call correlation identifiers. Two CDR records are associated with the same telephone call when their telephone call correlation identifiers are the same. A master correlated CDR is created for each telephone call. The creating includes assigning a correlated disconnect cause code and classifying the telephone call. The assigning and classifying are responsive to the received CDRs associated with the telephone call. The master correlated CDR includes the correlated disconnect cause code and the telephone call classification. A threshold crossing alert (TCA) is generated in response to a threshold for the correlated disconnect cause code being reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating and suppressing performance alerts in a packet network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for handling alerts in a packet network includes receiving a plurality of alerts relating to one or more faults in the packet network, wherein the plurality of alerts is generated from information contained in a plurality of call detail records, correlating the plurality of alerts into one or more sets of performance alerts, each of the one or more sets of performance alerts being associated with a common one of the one or more faults, and suppressing at least one further alert relating to at least one of the one or more sets.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving performance measurements for a communications network, generating alerts based on each performance measurement and a corresponding performance threshold, receiving network traps from network elements of the communications network, each network trap being generated by the network element based on a process measurement and a corresponding process threshold and correlating the alerts and the network traps to generate correlated alerts.

Abstract: A system for performing an end-to-side vascular anastomosis. including an anastomosis device, an application instrument and methods for performing a vascular anastomosis. The system is applicable for performing an anastomosis between a vascular graft and the ascending aorta in coronary artery bypass surgery, particularly in port-access CABG surgery. A first aspect of the invention includes a vascular anastomosis staple. A first configuration has two parts: an anchor member, forming the attachment with the target vessel wall and a coupling member, forming the attachment with the bypass graft vessel. The anastomosis is completed by inserting the coupling member, with the graft vessel attached, into the anchor member. A second configuration combines the functions of the anchor member and the coupling member into a one-piece anastomosis staple.

Abstract: Special service impacting events in an IP network are collected and correlated. Real-time data representing occurrence of trunk group events impacting special services in trunk groups that are in service is collected, along with call detail records recorded by network elements representing occurrence of call events impacting special services and performance measurements of network elements representing occurrence of events affecting performance of the network elements impacting the special services. The collected real-time data representing occurrence of trunk group events, collected call detail record and collected performance measurements are correlated, and alarms are generated based on the correlated data.

Abstract: A device for engaging tissue having a preexisting opening includes a generally annular-shaped ring having a width disposed about a longitudinal axis, and at least two staple members extending from the ring. Each of the at least two staple members have a thickness and at least a distal portion formed of an elastic material. The distal portions of the staple members have a first configuration, where the distal portions are separated by a first distance and wherein the distal portions are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second configuration, where the distal portions are separated by a second distance, the second distance being less than the first distance, and the at least two staple members engage tissue surrounding the preexisting opening. The annular-shaped ring has a width that is greater than the thickness of the at least two staple members.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system includes a plurality of fasteners having a throughbore with an internally threaded portion. The fasteners may engage with a threaded mandrel that passes through the throughbore of the fasteners. A rotator may rotate the fasteners relative to the mandrel to move at least one of the fasteners along the mandrel, e.g., along the mandrel's longitudinal axis. A distal end of the mandrel may be inserted into a material, such as a tissue, prosthetic or other, and a fastener may be deployed from the distal end of the mandrel while the distal end is positioned in the material. The throughbore of the fasteners may include a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, may include an angled face or other feature to aid in fastener deployment and/or have curved depressions in the head portion.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system includes a plurality of fasteners having a throughbore with an internally threaded portion. The fasteners may engage with a threaded mandrel that passes through the throughbore of the fasteners. A rotator may rotate the fasteners relative to the mandrel to move at least one of the fasteners along the mandrel, e.g., along the mandrel's longitudinal axis. A distal end of the mandrel may be inserted into a material, such as a tissue, prosthetic or other, and a fastener may be deployed from the distal end of the mandrel while the distal end is positioned in the material. The throughbore of the fasteners may include a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, may include an angled face or other feature to aid in fastener deployment and/or have curved depressions in the head portion.

Abstract: An arrangement analyzes a plurality of call detail records and determines that a particular call processing code has occurred a predetermined number of times during a previously defined time interval. The fact of these multiple occurrences of these processing codes is determined to be an indication of a trunk failure. A maintenance request is issued to address the detected failure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for managing a Voice over IP (VoIP) network includes collecting a first set of data from a first source of network performance management data, each data item in the first set of data corresponding to a call made using the VoIP network; collecting a second set of data from a second source of network performance management data, each data item in the second set of data corresponding to a call made using the VoIP network and being of a different type than the first set of data; correlating the first set of data and the second set of data such that a data item from the first set of data is matched with a data item from the second set of data that corresponds to a common call made over the VoIP network; and outputting a performance report based on the correlating.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems for managing VoIP network elements are provided. Methods include receiving call details records (CDRs) from a plurality of network elements. The received CDRs including disconnect cause codes and telephone call correlation identifiers. The received CDRs are correlated to telephone calls based on the telephone call correlation identifiers. Two CDR records are associated with the same telephone call when their telephone call correlation identifiers are the same. A master correlated CDR is created for each telephone call. The creating includes assigning a correlated disconnect cause code and classifying the telephone call. The assigning and classifying are responsive to the received CDRs associated with the telephone call. The master correlated CDR includes the correlated disconnect cause code and the telephone call classification. A threshold crossing alert (TCA) is generated in response to a threshold for the correlated disconnect cause code being reached.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving performance measurements for a communications network, generating alerts based on each performance measurement and a corresponding performance threshold, receiving network traps from network elements of the communications network, each network trap being generated by the network element based on a process measurement and a corresponding process threshold and correlating the alerts and the network traps to generate correlated alerts.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to obtain billing data associated with a plurality of calls over a Voice Over Internet Protocol network, determine special service calls being made based on the billing data, monitor for the special service calls being associated with at least one of one calling number or one network node, and determine an undesired condition based at least in part on the special service calls being made from the one calling number or through the one network node exceeding a threshold. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that employ the use of CDRs to effectively monitor and proactively respond to network or service events that impact performance within a network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a plurality of call detail records (CDRs), wherein each of the plurality of call detail records comprises a plurality of fields. The method determines a n-field rule signature from each of the call detail records (CDRs), and analyzes the n-field rule signatures from the plurality of call detail records (CDRs) for detecting at least one network performance problem.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for assuring Voice over Internet Protocol service. In one embodiment, a system for assuring Voice over Internet Protocol service includes a performance management platform for collecting performance management data from a plurality of sources in a Voice over Internet Protocol network, for detecting at least one abnormal event in accordance with the collected performance management data, and for reporting a volume of traffic in the Voice over Internet Protocol network and a trouble ticketing system for generating a ticket identifying a root cause of the abnormal event(s).

Abstract: An arrangement analyzes a plurality of call detail records from multiple sources and find those records related to multiple attempts to set up a particular user's call(s). The call detail records are filtered to establish an understanding of fault location likely to be responsible for what is deemed to be a defective call.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system includes a plurality of fasteners having a throughbore with an internally threaded portion. The fasteners may engage with a threaded mandrel that passes through the throughbore of the fasteners. A rotator may rotate the fasteners relative to the mandrel to move at least one of the fasteners along the mandrel, e.g., along the mandrel's longitudinal axis. A distal end of the mandrel may be inserted into a material, such as a tissue, prosthetic or other, and a fastener may be deployed from the distal end of the mandrel while the distal end is positioned in the material. The throughbore of the fasteners may include a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, may include an angled face or other feature to aid in fastener deployment and/or have curved depressions in the head portion.

Abstract: A system for performing an end-to-side vascular anastomosis. including an anastomosis device, an application instrument and methods for performing a vascular anastomosis. The system is applicable for performing an anastomosis between a vascular graft and the ascending aorta in coronary artery bypass surgery, particularly in port-access CABG surgery. A first aspect of the invention includes a vascular anastomosis staple. A first configuration has two parts: an anchor member, forming the attachment with the target vessel wall and a coupling member, forming the attachment with the bypass graft vessel. The anastomosis is completed by inserting the coupling member, with the graft vessel attached, into the anchor member. A second configuration combines the functions of the anchor member and the coupling member into a one-piece anastomosis staple.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of screening clones having DNA from an uncultivated microorganism for a specified protein, e.g. enzyme, activity by screening for a specified protein, e.g. enzyme, activity in a library of clones prepared by (i) recovering DNA from a DNA population derived from at least one uncultivated microorganism; and (ii) transforming a host with recovered DNA to produce a library of clones which is screened for the specified protein, e.g. enzyme, activity.

Abstract: A system for performing an end-to-side vascular anastomosis. including an anastomosis device, an application instrument and methods for performing a vascular anastomosis. The system is applicable for performing an anastomosis between a vascular graft and the ascending aorta in coronary artery bypass surgery, particularly in port-access CABG surgery. A first aspect of the invention includes a vascular anastomosis staple. A first configuration has two parts: an anchor member, forming the attachment with the target vessel wall and a coupling member, forming the attachment with the bypass graft vessel. The anastomosis is completed by inserting the coupling member, with the graft vessel attached, into the anchor member. A second configuration combines the functions of the anchor member and the coupling member into a one-piece anastomosis staple.