Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: A system for reducing subcutaneous migration of an implantable device or housing relative to surrounding soft tissue. For instance, the implantable housing may support a microphone diaphragm. The system includes at least one securement member having at least one aperture extending therethrough that may selectively receive one of a soft tissue securement device (e.g., soft tissue suture) and soft tissue growth therethrough. The securement member is at least one of interconnected to and disposable over at least a portion of the housing and at least one of extends away from and is selectively extendable away from a periphery of the housing. In one arrangement, at least one mesh member may be optionally included with the system that may allow for tissue growth to enhance securement of the implanted device relative to the soft tissue.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is provided for supportably mounting an implantable hearing aid device to a patient's skull. The apparatus includes a support member adapted for supporting a hearing aid device and a plurality of mounting legs extending laterally from the support member in differing directions. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for use in conforming the mounting legs to the topology of a patient's skull. In one arrangement, the mechanism includes a plurality of guide legs having a reduced yield strength in comparison to the mounting legs. The reduced yield strength guide legs may be more readily conformed to the topology of the patient's skull to provide a mounting leg profile. Accordingly, the mounting legs may be deformed to match the profile of the guide legs such that a conformal fit between the apparatus and the patient's skull may be achieved.