Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture are disclosed for quiescing multiplexed client messaging conversations. The invention uses plural independent mutexes to stop the application sends from both ends of a client/server channel, while allowing unsolicited control flows from the server to client to also be handled and quiesced. Once the channel is quiesced a channel-wide renegotiation, such as SSL secret key reset, can flow. The channel can then restart, again with the possibility of unsolicited server to client flows. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a number of important advantages. For example, this embodiment allows channel-wide negotiation flows to occur on a multiplexed channel without the need to wait for application conversations to complete. It also allows channel-wide negotiation flows to occur on a multiplexed channel on which unsolicited server to client flows can occur.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture are disclosed for selecting a channel instance for connecting a client with a server in a multi-channel instance computer system. In this computer system, when a new channel instance is used for connecting the client with one of the servers, defined channel information is established for the channel instance. The method of this invention comprises the steps of, when a new connection request is made, locking existing channel information; and after said locking, scanning through a list of channel connections for one of the channel instances that is a candidate for said connection request. In response to finding a candidate channel instance, which is in the process of connecting, the connection request is queued against the candidate channel instance. When the candidate channel instance does not complete connecting within a defined or determined time period, a new channel instance is used for the connection request.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture are disclosed for selecting a channel instance for connecting a client application with a server application in a multi-channel computer system. In this computer system, when a new channel instance is used to connect one of the client applications with one of the server applications, defined channel instance information is established for the channel instance. The method of this invention comprises the steps of when a new application connection request is made, locking existing channel instance information; and after said locking, scanning through a list of channel instance connections for one of the channel instances that is a candidate channel instance for that new application connection request. The method comprises the further steps of, in response to finding a candidate channel instance, determining whether the candidate channel instance is suitable for the new application connection request.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture are disclosed for selecting a channel instance for connecting a client with a server in a multi-channel instance computer system. In this computer system, when a new channel instance is used for connecting the client with one of the servers, defined channel information is established for the channel instance. The method of this invention comprises the steps of, when a new connection request is made, locking existing channel information; and after said locking, scanning through a list of channel connections for one of the channel instances that is a candidate for said connection request. In response to finding a candidate channel instance, which is in the process of connecting, the connection request is queued against the candidate channel instance. When the candidate channel instance does not complete connecting within a defined or determined time period, a new channel instance is used for the connection request.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture are disclosed for quiescing multiplexed client messaging conversations. The invention uses plural independent mutexes to stop the application sends from both ends of a client/server channel, while allowing unsolicited control flows from the server to client to also be handled and quiesced. Once the channel is quiesced a channel-wide renegotiation, such as SSL secret key reset, can flow. The channel can then restart, again with the possibility of unsolicited server to client flows. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a number of important advantages. For example, this embodiment allows channel-wide negotiation flows to occur on a multiplexed channel without the need to wait for application conversations to complete. It also allows channel-wide negotiation flows to occur on a multiplexed channel on which unsolicited server to client flows can occur.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, apparatus, computer program and computer program product for facilitating secure data communications. The secure data communications is carried out using a secret key for encrypting data flowing between first and second entities over a communications link. First it is determined that the communications link has been idle. Once it is determined that there is now data to flow over the previously idle communications link, the generation of a new secret key is initiated. This new secret key is then used for encrypting data sent between the first and the second entities over the communications link.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing bone, such as a spine, includes providing a coupling element having first and second sections that are angled relative to one another, the coupling element having rod receiving openings for securing an elongated member such as an orthopedic rod, and assembling the coupling element with an anchoring element. The method includes securing the anchoring element in bone, moving the coupling element relative to the anchoring element to align the rod receiving openings with the orthopedic rod, securing the orthopedic rod in the rod receiving openings, and after the securing step, locking the coupling element from further movement relative to the anchoring element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, apparatus, computer program and computer program product for facilitating secure data communications. The secure data communications is carried out using a secret key for encrypting data flowing between first and second entities over a communications link. First it is determined that the communications link has been idle. Once it is determined that there is now data to flow over the previously idle communications link, the generation of a new secret key is initiated. This new secret key is then used for encrypting data sent between the first and the second entities over the communications link.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly including a coupling element having an inner surface defining a first bore coaxial with a first longitudinal axis, and a second bore coaxial with a second longitudinal axis, whereby the second longitudinal axis intersects the first longitudinal axis. The coupling element has a seat adjacent the lower end of the coupling element, the seat being defined by the inner surface of the coupling element. The assembly includes an anchoring element assembled with the coupling element, the anchoring element having a first end for insertion into bone and a head spaced from the first end, the head being in contact with the seat of the coupling element. The assembly provides sufficient angulation between adjacent anchoring elements securing a common orthopedic rod, and is particularly useful for assemblies mounted in spines having abnormal curvatures and in the cervicothoracic region of the spine.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing bone, such as a spine, includes providing a coupling element having first and second sections that are angled relative to one another, the coupling element having rod receiving openings for securing an elongated member such as an orthopedic rod, and assembling the coupling element with an anchoring element. The method includes securing the anchoring element in bone, moving the coupling element relative to the anchoring element to align the rod receiving openings with the orthopedic rod, securing the orthopedic rod in the rod receiving openings, and after the securing step, locking the coupling element from further movement relative to the anchoring element.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly including a coupling element having a first bore coaxial with a first longitudinal axis, and a second bore coaxial with a second longitudinal axis that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis. The assembly includes an anchoring element assembled with the coupling element, the anchoring element having a first end for insertion into bone. The assembly provides sufficient angulation between adjacent anchoring elements securing a common orthopedic rod, and is particularly useful for assemblies mounted in spines having abnormal curvatures and in the cervicothoracic region of the spine.

Abstract: A method for guiding a device in a required direction along the interior of a pipe, the method comprising removably mounting the device on a curved guide, lowering the device and the guide through a hole bored in the wall of the pipe to gain access to the interior of the pipe with the guide arranged to curve in the required direction in which the device is to move along the pipe and moving the device off the guide in the required direction.