It is possible to use other components that a lot of diodes !
It is easier to weld, smaller and less expensive than a lot of diodes !
This device consists of a 16-bit high-speed Schottky diode array suitable for clamping to VCC and GND.
A chip contains 32 Schottky diodes !
Datasheet of 74s1053 :
http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/sn74s1053.pdf
http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/sn74s1051.pdf
Available on Mouser (for example) :
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=SN74S1053Nvirtualkey59500000virtualkey595-SN74S1053N