Abstract: A router for interconnecting external devices coupled to the router. The router comprises a switch fabric and a plurality of routing nodes coupled to the switch fabric. Each of the routing nodes exchanges data packets with the external devices via network interface ports and with other routing nodes via the switch fabric. A first routing node comprises an inbound network processor capable of receiving incoming data packets from a network interface port; an outbound network processor capable of transmitting data packets to the network interface port; and a shared memory for storing forwarding table information used by the inbound and outbound network processors. The shared memory comprises an inbound upper bank capable of storing forwarding table information accessed by the inbound network processor and an inbound lower bank capable of storing forwarding table information accessed by the inbound network processor.

Abstract: A router for interconnecting N interfacing peripheral devices. The router comprises a switch fabric and routing nodes coupled to the switch fabric. Each routing node comprises: i) a plurality of physical medium device (PMD) modules for transmitting data packets to and receiving data packets from selected ones of the N interfacing peripheral devices; ii) an input-output processing (IOP) module coupled to the PMD modules and the switch fabric for routing the data packets between the PMD modules and the switch fabric and between the PMD modules; and iii) a classification module associated with the IOP module for classifying a first data packet received from the IOP module. The classification module causes the IOP module to forward the first data packet based on the classification. The router architecture incorporates streams-based billing support, firewall capabilities, and data surveillance functionality.

Abstract: An improved disposable sheath for a medical endoscope of the type that includes an elongated bundle of optical fibers for viewing an internal surgical site, the endoscope including a distal tip adapted to transmit images from the surgical site through the fibers. The improved sheath having an elongated housing with proximal and distal ends in which the distal end has top and bottom portions. A first opening extends through the housing for receiving the endoscope and a second opening extends though the housing for transmitting fluid through the housing. The proximal end of the housing is adapted to secure the housing relative to the endoscope and to connect the second opening to a source of fluid. The first opening is unobstructed at the distal end of the housing to allow the distal tip of the endoscope to project past the top portion of the distal end. The bottom portion of the housing distal end extends beyond the distal tip of the endoscope.