Abstract: A device and technique for a sutureless wound closure, which limits the risks of rupture and scarring, is described. The device includes a one-piece surgical fastener generally shaped in a curve along the width of the surgical fastener. The fastener includes a tissue insertion tongue with a plurality of tissue attachment points for fixing the fastener to skin tissue. The fastener also includes a clasp for engaging an identical surgical fastener. The surgical fastener can also be a two-piece structure including a male connecting strap and a female connector. Both pieces include a tissue-connecting mechanism for fixing to skin tissue. The female connector includes an engagement clasp for securing the male connecting strap to the female connector.

Abstract: Self-generated automated tests can use a pseudo-random number generator to select one or more arguments that are passed to programs and scripts. The random arguments are driven by a configuration file where the limits for the parameters are defined. Multidimensional functions with multidimensional parameters can be tested. Test duration can be limited by time, number of iterations, or by any of the multidimensional functions or parameters. A pseudo-random seed for each test is recorded so that a test case can be reproduced if a failure is detected or otherwise.

Abstract: A method and related computer program product for migrating legacy data to a RAID array while contemporaneously providing user access to legacy data, comprising connecting the legacy drive to the RAID controller, converting the legacy drive into a legacy array, selecting the legacy array and selecting the RAID array to migrate the legacy data to.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for improving I/O performance and controlling I/O latency for reading or writing to a disk in a redundant array, comprising determining an optimal number of I/O sort queues, their depth and a latency control number, directing incoming I/Os to a second sort queue if the queue depth or latency control number for the first queue is exceeded, directing incoming I/Os to a FIFO queue if all sort queues are saturated and issuing I/Os to a disk in the redundant array from the sort queue having the foremost I/Os.

Abstract: A method and related computer program product of preventing write corruption in a redundant array in a computer system, comprising detecting a write failure from a calling application to at least one disk of the redundant array, writing failure information to non-volatile storage; returning an I/O error to the calling application; reading the failure information from the non-volatile storage during the next system reboot; and reconfiguring the array to eliminate the failed disk.

Abstract: A method and related computer program product for storing first configuration information for a plurality of logical devices coupled to a RAID controller. Subsequent configuration information is stored for the plurality of logical devices coupled to the RAID controller while retaining previously written configuration information. Finally, in the event of a conflict in configuration information, the first and subsequent configuration information is compared to determine the cause of the conflict.

Abstract: A method and related computer program product of obtaining temporary conventional memory usage in BIOS. The method and program product comprises disabling processor interrupts, saving a predetermined amount of system memory to a temporary storage location outside system memory, using the predetermined system memory space for BIOS specific needs, restoring the predetermined amount of system memory from the temporary storage location to the predetermined system memory space, and then re-enabling the processor interrupts.

Abstract: A fault tolerant method transforms physically contiguous data in-place on a disk by partitioning the physically contiguous data into an empty region physically adjacent to data regions including a first data region and a last data region, the first and last data regions at opposing ends of the physically contiguous data regions. The physically contiguous data are transformed in an order beginning with the first data region and ending with the last data region. The transforming step perform first locking and reading the first data region, second, transforming the first data region, third, writing and unlocking the transformed first data region to the empty region, and fourth, declaring the first data region as the empty region while declaring the empty region as the first region. The first through fourth steps are repeated for each data region, until completion, to transform the physically contiguous data in-place on the disk.

Abstract: An hemoglobin (Hb)-Dextran (Dx) conjugate having a molecular weight between 50 kd) and 500 kD provides a blood substitute that results in acceptable erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and excretion rate (EXC) values. DxHb conjugates of the invention can be used for a variety of purposes as an alternative to blood.

Abstract: A configurable RAID subsystem includes a user data array connected to a user application via a block I/O path, and a configuration array connected to a configuration application via the same block I/O path. The user data array processes user data access commands executed by the user application; and the configuration application processes configuration commands, the user data access commands and the configuration commands communicated to the user data array and the configuration array respectively, via the block I/O path. A dynamic identification is assigned to the user data array by the configuration array, and a static identification is assigned to the configuration array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a reconfigurable multi-chip module. The reconfigurable multi-chip module includes a processor; a memory module connected to the processor; and a memory control component for controlling whether the processor uses the memory module. The method of producing multi-chip modules includes assembling a processor and a memory module on the multi-chip module; testing the memory module; and selectively configuring the processor to use the memory module based on the testing of the memory module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a reconfigurable multi-chip module. The reconfigurable multi-chip module includes a processor; a memory module connected to the processor; and a memory control component for controlling whether the processor uses the memory module. The method of producing multi-chip modules includes assembling a processor and a memory module on the multi-chip module; testing the memory module; and selectively configuring the processor to use the memory module based on the testing of the memory module.

Abstract: The inventive cylindrical cartridges are installed in machinery for purposes of isolating vibration of conventional rolling element bearings from major machinery components. Two inventive cartridges are concentrically coupled with a rolling element bearing, one cartridge fitting circumferentially inside the bearing's inner ring, the other cartridge fitting circumferentially outside the bearing's outer ring. Each inventive cartridge comprises inner and outer concentric cylindrical metallic pieces and an intermediate filling which includes two lateral circumferential elastomeric bands separated by a medial circumferential air gap. The inventive cartridges can be inexpensively fabricated and can be permanently integrated with existing machinery.

Abstract: Precise quantities of lubricant from separate reservoirs under automatic trol are injected into chambers of housings of shielded rolling element bearings. Separate feed line conduits directly deliver the lubricant to the shielded critical surfaces of such bearings and insure maintenance-free operation of machinery with which the bearings are associated.