Abstract: Devices and methods for electrode implantation. A first embodiment includes an electrode insertion tool adapted to tunnel through tissue and attach, at its distal end, to a lead, such that the lead may be pulled into the tunneled space as the electrode insertion tool is removed. Additional embodiments include methods for inserting electrode/lead assemblies, including a method wherein an insertion tool is first used to tunnel through tissue, then to pull an electrode/lead into the tunneled space. In a further embodiment the insertion tool is next used, with a splittable sheath disposed thereon, to create an additional path into tissue, after which the insertion tool is removed, leaving the sheath in place; a lead is inserted to the sheath, and, finally, the splittable sheath is removed over the lead.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing and an elongate pocket formed within the housing. A locking member is positioned within the elongate pocket. A first aperture extends through the locking member in coaxial alignment with the elongate pocket, while a second aperture extends through the locking member in a direction different than that of the first aperture. A retention clip is positioned within the elongate pocket proximate the locking member and has a first configuration in which a portion of the retention clip extends into the first aperture and a second configuration in which the retention clip does not extend into the first aperture. A pushrod that has a first end that is positioned near the retention clip and a second end that is positioned exterior to the housing is disposed within the second aperture.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the overhead associated with direct data placement is provided. Processing time overhead is reduced by implementing packet-processing logic in hardware. Storage space overhead is reduced by combining results of hardware-based packet-processing logic with ULP software support; parameters relevant to direct data placement are extracted during packet-processing and provided to a control structure instantiation. Subsequently, payload data received at a network adapter is directly placed in memory in accordance with parameters previously stored in a control structure. Additionally, packet-processing in hardware reduces interrupt overhead by issuing system interrupts in conjunction with packet boundaries. In this manner, wire-speed direct data placement is approached, zero copy is achieved, and per byte overhead is reduced with respect to the amount of data transferred over an individual network connection.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for communicating data transfer requests between data transfer protocols A request is received conforming to a first data transfer protocol at an initiator node to transmit to a target node, wherein the request includes a request identifier in the first data transfer protocol. A reference is obtained to a memory location to use for the request using a second data transfer protocol, wherein the reference is used by the second data transfer protocol. An entry is added to a map associating the reference to the memory location for the second data transfer protocol with the request identifier for the first data transfer protocol. The second data transfer protocol is used to transfer the request with the request identifier and the reference to the memory location.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for transferring data between an initiator node and target node. A request is received conforming to a first data transfer protocol at the initiator node to transmit to the target node. A reference to a memory location is obtained to use to transfer the request to the target node. At least one function is called that executes in a user address space of the initiator node, wherein the initiator node includes a kernel address space and the user address space. The at least one function executing in the user address space interfaces with an adaptor to transmit the request and reference to the memory location to the target node using a second data transfer protocol.

Abstract: A wound closure device which maintains pneumoperitoneum while allowing a surgeon to capture an mount of tissue which is substantially wider than the diameter of a trocar cannula through which the device is inserted. The wound closure device includes, an elongated guide member, a hook shaped needle and a retracting mechanism for moving the needle from an open position to a closed position. In the closed position, the tip of the needle is positioned within the guide member so that the needle can be easily inserted into a body. In the open position, the needle tip is positioned outside of the guide member at a distance from the guide member which is greater than the diameter of the guide member.

Abstract: A tissue segmentation device incorporated in an isolation bag for segmenting tissue during an operation such as in laparoscopic surgery. The device includes one or more loops of high strength wire which can be mechanically reduced in size to cut the tissue into smaller pieces. The wire loops can be heated electrically to aid in cutting through hard-to-cut parts of the tissue. The wire can be of a shape memory alloy which shrinks when heated to form a smaller diameter loop.

Abstract: A computing system includes plural nodes that are connected by a communications network. Each node comprises a communications interface that enables an exchange of messages with other nodes. A ready queue is maintained in a node and includes plural message entries, each message entry indicating an output message control data structure. The node further includes memory for storing plural output message control data structures, each including one or more chained further monrtol data structures that define data comprising a message or a portion of a message that is to be dispatched. Control data structures that are chained from an output messsage control data structure exhibit a sequence dependincy. A processor is controlled by the ready queue and enables dispatch of portions of the message designated by an output message control data structure and associated further control structures.

Abstract: A system to display an image including a first memory for storing picture data representing the image attribute data to qualify the picture data. The attribute data includes embedded synchronization data. The system further includes a circuit that produces the image by scanning the picture data qualified by the attribute data onto to a display in accordance with the synchronization data. This invention further provides for storing the synchronization data within the attribute data enabling the synchronization data to be programmable but only requiring update of the synchronization data when the synchronization data is to be changed. The memory includes two buffers wherein one buffer is loaded with attribute and synchronization data while the other buffer is being read. After the other buffer is read, the buffers are toggled such so that the loaded buffer is read to provide the attribute and synchronization data while the previously read buffer is loaded with new attribute and synchronization data.

Abstract: A coding system applicable to communication is provided so that variable length code representations of a set of characters may be transmitted. The system transmits a data stream made up of a series of variable length code representations of the characters in the set. A fixed code representation follows the end of each character representation. This data stream is received by apparatus which includes coding apparatus which reads the fixed code representations in order to determine the ends of each variable length character representation. The coding is set up so that the code is a binary code in which the most commonly used characters in the set are represented by code having the minimum number of digits, and the progressively less commonly used characters are respectively represented by code having progressively increasing numbers of digits. Preferably the fixed code representing the end of each character is 01.

Abstract: A system and method for generating properly proportioned alphanumeric characters and symbols in two vertical heights with a single character generator and a minimum of associated circuitry. The bits of video data stored in the character generator are stored such that the vertical segments of diagonal portions of the characters and symbols include no more than two bits per vertical segment of the diagonal portion. The video data bits representative of the pels of circular portions of the symbols are stored in an arrangement to generate a horizontally elongated elliptical shape when the character or symbol is displayed in the shorter of the two heights. Whenever possible, the diagonal portions of characters include no more than two diagonally disposed pels in the single high character size.