Abstract: A microsensor and method of manufacture for a microsensor, comprising an array of filaments, wherein each filament of the array of filaments comprises a substrate and a conductive layer coupled to the substrate and configured to facilitate analyte detection. Each filament of the array of filaments can further comprise an insulating layer configured to isolate regions defined by the conductive layer for analyte detection, a sensing layer coupled to the conductive layer, configured to enable transduction of an ionic concentration to an electronic voltage, and a selective coating coupled to the sensing layer, configured to facilitate detection of specific target analytes/ions. The microsensor facilitates detection of at least one analyte present in a body fluid of a user interfacing with the microsensor.

Abstract: A microsensor and method of manufacture for a microsensor, comprising an array of filaments, wherein each filament of the array of filaments comprises a substrate and a conductive layer coupled to the substrate and configured to facilitate analyte detection. Each filament of the array of filaments can further comprise an insulating layer configured to isolate regions defined by the conductive layer for analyte detection, a sensing layer coupled to the conductive layer, configured to enable transduction of an ionic concentration to an electronic voltage, and a selective coating coupled to the sensing layer, configured to facilitate detection of specific target analytes/ions. The microsensor facilitates detection of at least one analyte present in a body fluid of a user interfacing with the microsensor.

Abstract: A total patient management system according to an example embodiment includes a smart diaper configured to mount with a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a capacitance sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic field sensor, and an acceleration sensor; a transmission device configured to transmit a sensor signal generated in the smart diaper; and a central processing device configured to analyze change information of the smart diaper and a defecation pattern of a wearer using the sensor signal received from the transmission device and to monitor posture information and abnormality of a patient.

Abstract: A device for the sensory detection of at least one human vital parameter comprises a support, which is shaped and dimensioned to be at least partly removably placed in the human outer ear canal, and to which at least one sensor for the detection of a vital parameter is attached. The support is a planar substrate, which is a hollow cylinder defining a continuously open hollow channel. A hollow cylindrical outer wall region at least partly contacts a surface of the inner wall of the ear canal when the support is at least partly placed in the human outer ear canal.

Abstract: A hearing device such as a receiver-in-ear assembly. The assembly includes a housing having a cavity extending through the housing; an optical transducer mounted in the cavity within a thickness of the housing, the optical transducer being mounted on a circuit board layer such that a spacing exists between a side of the optical transducer and a sidewall of the cavity. The circuit board layer extends underneath the housing and touching the housing such that the optical transducer is held within the cavity without touching the housing. The assembly further includes a protective substance forming a shield over the optical transducer and the cavity, the protective substance configured to affect a field of view of the optical transducer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a shape-memory in-ear biosensor for polysomnography and monitoring physiological signals are provided. Various embodiments include an earpiece made from a shape memory or temperature-dependent phase transition material embedded into polydimethylsiloxane elastomer body. The earpiece can use electrodes to detect physiological signals by making direct contact with a user's skin and without the use of electrically conductive gel. When heated above the glass transition temperature of the shape memory polymer, various embodiments of the biosensor may be folded. When cooled, the biosensor will maintain the folded shape. The folded biosensor may then be inserted into the ear canal of a user where, in response to heating by the user's body, it partially unfolds to conform to the shape of the ear canal.

Abstract: An electrode structure of a bio-signal measurement comprises electrodes adapted to be adhered on skin with an adhesive and separated from each other. A connector arrangement for an electric contact with an external electric device is on an opposite side of the electrode structure. Electric conductors are electrically connected with the electrodes and the connector arrangement. The electrode structure comprises attachable sections directly adjacent to one of the at least two electrodes, the attachable sections being adapted to be adhered on the skin. The electrode structure comprises a flexible and elastic loose section, which is free from an adherence to the skin, each of the attachable sections being located between an electrode and a loose section.

Abstract: A living body-attachable electrode is provided with a first stretchable substrate. A conductive pattern may be provided on one main surface of the first stretchable substrate and including an electrode part and a wiring part connected to the electrode part. A second stretchable substrate may be provided on the one main surface of the first stretchable substrate to cover at least the wiring part of the conductive pattern and having an opening exposing at least a part of the electrode part. A gel electrode may be provided in the opening of the second stretchable substrate and conductive to the electrode part, in which the gel electrode is provided on a main surface of the second stretchable substrate to spread outward from the opening of the second stretchable substrate. The main surface may not be in contact with the first stretchable substrate.

Abstract: A wristband biosensing system, a wristband biosensing apparatus, and a biological sensing method are provided. The system includes a wristband body worn on a wrist of a user, at least one physiological signal sensor, at least one deformation sensor, and a processing device coupled to the physiological signal sensor and the deformation sensor. The physiological signal sensor is disposed on the wristband body at a position corresponding to at least one sensing portion of the wrist to detect a physiological signal of each sensing portion. The deformation sensor is disposed around each physiological signal sensor to detect deformation of each sensing portion and output a deformation signal. The processing device receives the physiological signal and the deformation signal, inquires a compensation signal corresponding to the deformation signal, and corrects the physiological signal by using the compensation signal, so as to output a corrected physiological signal of each sensing portion.

Abstract: An implantable cardiovascular pressure sensor comprising a rigid enclosure sealed by a flexible membrane; and an elongate compliant member comprising a piezoelectric material, the member having a width and a length greater than the width, and two ends separated by the length and two sides separated by the width; wherein the flexible membrane is coupled to the elongate compliant member to transfer external fluid pressure load to the elongate compliant member to cause deflection of the elongate compliant member in response to changes in the external fluid pressure; the pressure sensor further comprising a first acoustic wave device provided by the piezoelectric material of the elongate compliant member for sensing said deflection.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for reducing noise in health monitoring including monitoring systems, methods and/or devices receiving a health signal and/or having at least one electrode or sensor for health monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method to provide guidance for diabetes therapy includes determining glycemic risks based on an analysis of glucose data. The analysis includes visualization of a glucose median, the variability of glucose in a patient, and the risk of hypoglycemia. An Advanced Daily Patterns report includes a visualization of an ambulatory glucose profile and a glucose control measure. The glucose control measure provides a highly visible and understandable display of the glucose condition of a patient visually expressed in the categories of low glucose, median glucose, and glucose variability.

Abstract: A method is for changing a spatial intensity distribution of an x-ray beam. In an embodiment, the method includes generating an x-ray beam by an x-ray source; guiding a beam path of the x-ray beam through a form filter with a plurality of lamellas, the form filter including a holder apparatus and the plurality of lamellas being arranged in the holder apparatus such that each lamella has at least one straight line running through the respective lamella in parallel to the further lamellas. The method further includes aligning the plurality of lamellas relative to the beam path by controlled movement of at least one part of the plurality of lamellas relative to one another and thereby changing the spatial intensity distribution of the x-ray beam. An apparatus, configured to carry out such a method, an irradiation arrangement and a medical imaging apparatus are further disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dual energy imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises controlling an x-ray source with a first voltage to generate x-rays at a first energy, controlling the x-ray source with a second voltage to generate x-rays at a second energy lower than the first energy, and controlling a current of the x-ray source to peak above a target current when a voltage of the x-ray source is transitioning from the first voltage to the second voltage. In this way, the duration for transitioning from the first voltage to the second voltage is reduced, thereby enabling faster voltage switching of the x-ray source, improved energy separation in acquired projection data, and improved image quality.

Abstract: A method for processing breast tissue image data includes obtaining image data of a patient's breast tissue, processing the image data to generate a set of image slices, the image slices collectively depicting the patient's breast tissue; feeding image slices of the set through each of a plurality of object-recognizing modules, each of the object-recognizing modules being configured to recognize a respective type of object that may be present in the image slices; combining objects recognized by the respective object-recognizing modules to generate a synthesized image of the patient's breast tissue; and displaying the synthesized image.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program causes a computer to perform an analysis process based on a radiation moving image in which a dynamic state of a specific site of a subject is captured. The program includes the analysis process in which, an analysis is performed based on the radiation moving image wherein when a plane in which the specific site is movable is to be a movable plane, the radiation moving image is obtained by irradiating radiation on the specific site in a state in which the radiation is orthogonal to the movable plane.

Abstract: An image acquisition unit acquires two radiographic images based on radiations which are transmitted through a subject containing a plurality of compositions and have energy distributions different from each other. A body thickness derivation unit derives, as a first body thickness and a second body thickness, body thicknesses of the subject for pixels of the two radiographic images. A composition ratio derivation unit derives composition ratios of the subject for the pixels of the radiographic images based on the first body thickness and the second body thickness.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry configured: to acquire a two-dimensional X-ray image of an examined subject imaged in a first imaging process; to designate at least one track on which an X-ray generator is to move in a second imaging process to be performed after the first imaging process; and to perform a predicting process of predicting, on the basis of the two-dimensional X-ray image and the track, an artifact that is to occur when the second imaging process is performed by using the track.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a determination of a physiological functional parameter of a living being. Ultrasound image data and Doppler image data of a vessel structure are provided (101) and registered (102). The vessel structure is segmented (103) to generate (104) a representation of the vessel structure. The flow velocity inside a vessel of the vessel structure is determined (105) based on the Doppler image data. A physiological functional parameter determination model defining a value of a functional physiological parameter in dependence of a representation of a vessel structure and a flow velocity inside a vessel of the vessel structure is used (106) to determine (107) the physiological functional parameter inside the vessel of the vessel structure. The representation of the vessel structure and/or the flow velocity values can be constantly updated upon receipt of further input images to provide an estimation of the functional physiological parameter in real-time.

Abstract: In a method for determining blood vessel characteristic change using an ultrasonic sensor, a plurality of ultrasonic signal transmit and receive operations are performed at a position overlying a blood vessel of a person using an ultrasonic sensor, where the plurality of ultrasonic signal transmit and receive operations generate a plurality of received signals. Depths of blood vessel walls are determined at the position for a plurality of time instances based on local maxima of a combination of an acoustic impedance mismatch and a motion characteristic based at least in part on the plurality of received signals. A change in a blood vessel characteristic is determined based at least in part on a difference between the depths of the blood vessel walls at the plurality of time instances.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to characterize blood flow dynamics in vivo. A Doppler acquisition is obtained in vivo with two or more transmit-receive event pairs at different angles from which three-dimensional angle-resolved RF data is determined. Four-dimensional dimensional angle-resolved RF data is obtained by repeating these steps. The four-dimensional angle-resolved RF data is then provided as input to a trained neural network which outputs spatially resolved flow velocities in multiple blood flow dimensions. From these outputs one could further derive and display temporal hemodynamic flow velocity profiles in the multiple blood flow dimensions at a given spatial location.

Abstract: A system includes a processing circuit configured to receive signals corresponding ultrasound data, extract a blood flow waveform from the signals, the blood flow waveform corresponds to a single pulse of the signals, determine a curvature characteristic of the blood flow waveform based on a plurality of local curvature parameters, and identify a medical condition for the blood flow waveform using the blood flow waveform. Each of the plurality of local curvature parameters indicates a degree to which the blood flow waveform deviates from a straight line at a location on the blood flow waveform.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for tracking anatomical features across multiple images. One example method includes outputting, for display on a display device, an annotation indicative of a first location of an identified anatomical feature of a first ultrasound image, the annotation generated based on a first output of a model and outputting, for display on the display device, an adjusted annotation based on a second output of the model, the second output of the model generated based on a second ultrasound image and further based on the first output of the model, the adjusted annotation indicative of a second location of the identified anatomical feature in the second ultrasound image.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for visualizing a reflector in a lumen of a patient are provided. In one embodiment, a system for visualizing a reflector includes an intraluminal ultrasound imaging catheter in communication with a processor circuit. The processor circuit is configured to receive, from the intraluminal ultrasound imaging catheter, ultrasound image signals representative of the lumen and the reflector, generate first ultrasound image data based on the ultrasound image signals, generate second ultrasound image data based on a portion of the ultrasound image signals associated with a second frequency different from the transmit frequency, and output a visualization based on the first and second ultrasound image data to a display. In some aspects, the visualization may serve to identify and distinguish nonlinear reflectors from linear reflectors in the combined image.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a flexible elongate member (e.g., endoscopic accessory tool) positionable into and/or through selected anatomies, such as by generating images to position components of a flexible elongate member or to localize anatomic features, for instance. Some embodiments are directed to generating images with a plurality of imaging techniques to localize anatomic features and/or components of a flexible elongate member for one or more of inspection, orientation, and/or facilitating access to body passageways or lumens.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a body, a plurality of wheels, and control circuitry. The body sends and receives ultrasonic waves to generate an ultrasonic image. The plurality of wheels supports and moves the body. The assist wheel is electrically driven, and assists movement of the body. The control circuitry is configured to control switching between grounded and ungrounded of the assist wheel to a floor.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for diagnosing tendon damage using an ultrasound imager. In one example, a method may include acquiring an ultrasound image of an anatomical feature, pairing, via a trained neural network, the acquired ultrasound image to a sample image of a sample anatomical feature, determining a degree of damage of the anatomical feature based on the sample image, and displaying the acquired ultrasound image and the sample image simultaneously.

Abstract: A controller for reducing noise in an ultrasound environment includes memory that stores instructions; and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes controlling emission, by an ultrasound probe, of multiple beams each at a different combination of time of emission and angle of emission relative to the ultrasound probe. The process also includes identifying repetitive noise from a first source received with the imaging beams at a sensor on an interventional medical device, including a rate at which the repetitive noise from the first source repeats and times at which the repetitive noise from the first source is received. The process also includes interpolating signals based on the imaging beams received at the sensor to offset the repetitive noise from the first source at the times at which the repetitive noise from the first source is received.

Abstract: A wearable bladder monitoring device is disclosed (1) comprising securing means (27, 29) for securing the device to a subject's (40) body; a phased array (11) of ultrasound transducers (10) having configurable output frequencies; a configurable phased array controller (13) adapted to control the phased array to direct ultrasound beams (30, 30?, 30?) into the subject's body under a plurality of discrete beam angles and to collect echo signals (31, 31?, 31?) of said ultrasound beams, wherein the phased array controller (13) is adapted to direct a set of ultrasound beams (30, 30?, 30?) into the subject's body for at least a subset of said discrete beam angles in response to a configuration instruction defining the respective output frequencies of the ultrasound beams in said set; and a device communication module (21) for communicating data pertaining to said echo signals to a remote device (5) to facilitate the remote processing of said data and to receive said configuration instruction from the remote device.

Abstract: A miniaturized monitoring device can include electronic circuitry, housing, and communications protocols. The device can be a robust sensing device that can quantify electrolyte content accurately and transmit continuously from within fecal effluent or urine, or other human bodily fluid and/or solid samples. The device can be fully immersed in the testing sample, which can be in a container, an ostomy bag, or otherwise.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for obtaining enriched cell samples from an organ in a subject using an ultrasound contrast agent and insonating. Contiguous fragments of epithelia are obtained which are useful for subsequent histological analysis and for informing therapy and other medical considerations.

Abstract: A method for minimally invasive laser ablation of a target tissue within a patient while sparing tissue within a safety zone proximate to the target tissue, comprising: guiding a laser fiber within a patient with a guidance tool; measuring a temperature within the target tissue and the safety zone based on an invasive and a non-invasive thermal sensor; computing a thermal profile in conjunction with a real-time tissue image adapted for guidance of the laser fiber with the guidance tool within the patient; and controlling a laser to deliver energy through the laser fiber, to deliver a minimally therapeutic ablation therapy to the target tissue while ensuring that the safety zone is maintained in a non-ablation condition, based on at least a treatment plan, the measured temperature, and the thermal profile.

Abstract: An instrument handle for use with a system to measure and display the orientation of a handheld instrument is disclosed.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes an elongate cannula coupled to and extending from a support structure, the cannula having a distal portion with a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof, and an elongate hollow introducer sized and configured to be mounted to the support structure over the cannula. The support structure and a proximal portion of the introducer are respectively configured for providing releasable attachment of the introducer to the support structure over the cannula in a first attachment configuration, in which the distal portion of the cannula extends out an open distal end of the introducer with the tissue receiving aperture unobscured by the introducer, and in a second attachment configuration, in which the distal portion of the cannula extends out the open distal end of the introducer with the tissue receiving aperture partially obscured by the introducer.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.

Abstract: An endocyte cannula is designed to provide improved and more productive Pap smear tests. The endocyte cannula includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion may include a fitting to connect to a user-actuated tool, such as a syringe. The distal portion may include a corkscrew feature or a lateral wing feature to facilitate movement of the cannula through dense tissue as well as provide scraping or brushing capabilities. The shaped scraping or brushing features may be provided on an attachment that is attachable to a shaft of the endocyte cannula. The attachments may allow customization of the endocyte cannula based on the physiology and anatomy of a patient. The distal portion may further include a plurality of apertures to aspirate mucus and reduce the risk of trauma or perforation.

Abstract: A tissue specimen retrieval bag assembly includes a tissue specimen bag having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, the proximal end including a cuff defined therein and extending therearound. A flexible bag brim is disposed within the cuff and is transitionable between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The flexible bag brim includes a cross section configured to facilitate both furling the tissue specimen bag onto itself around the bag brim when the bag brim is disposed in the second, expanded configuration and securing the tissue specimen bag in a desired furled configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument particular suited to endoscopic use is disclosed. Various embodiments include an end effector that is sized to be inserted through a trocar. An elongated shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and a control handle. The elongated shaft assembly has a distal portion that is adjacent to the effector for insertion into the trocar. The elongated shaft assembly further has a proximal portion that is remote from the distal portion such that the proximal portion protrudes from the trocar when the end effector and distal portion are inserted therethrough. The control handle is articulatably coupled to the proximal portion of said elongated shaft assembly to enable the surgeon to move the handle portion to a more ergonomically comfortable position while carrying out the endoscopic procedure. Various articulation joint embodiments and locking arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical device for cutting bone or tissue in a patient can include a cutting blade having a rigid portion, a flexible portion, and a liner to provide a seal to the flexible portion. The blade has an outer member and an inner member disposed within a lumen of the outer member. The inner member has a rigid portion and a flexible portion. The liner can be disposed within a lumen of the inner member and can engage the rigid portion such as to retain the liner adjacent to the flexible portion of the inner member.

Abstract: A spray tip for dispensing fluids that react together includes a first lumen for a first fluid, a second lumen for a second fluid, and a dispensing cap located at distal ends of the respective first and second lumens and defining a distal end of the spray tip. The dispensing cap includes a distal end wall defining a closed end of the dispensing cap, a first spray opening formed in the distal end wall that is in fluid communication with the first lumen, a second spray opening formed in the distal end wall that is in fluid communication with the second lumen, and an external dividing wall that projects distally from the distal end wall of the dispensing cap and that extends between the first and second spray opening for forming a barrier between the first and second spray openings.

Abstract: Suture constructs and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs. The suture construct is a soft, suture-based anchor which is self-cinching and has a specific, accordion-type configuration (i.e., with the ability to fold from a first, extended position to a second, folded or compressed position). The suture-based anchor may be formed essentially of a flexible material such as a high strength surgical suture, suture chain, or suture.

Abstract: A suture anchor has a cylindrical body and an integral entry tip. The entry tip is at a distal end and the cylindrical body has a hollow proximal end portion and projections formed on an external surface of the body for retaining the anchor in a pre-drilled hole formed in bone. Two suture openings are formed extending through the body to opposed sides of the cylindrical body between the proximal end of the body and the entry tip at the distal end. Each opening is connected by slots or recesses of the body. A suture entering the hollow proximal end portion passing out through a first opening extends externally along a slot and enters a second opening extending out the second opening on an opposite side extending along an opposing slot and reentering the opposite side first opening and extending back out the hollow proximal end portion.

Abstract: Surgical constructs, assemblies and methods of tissue fixation are disclosed. A surgical construct includes a spreadable web attached to a plurality of peripheral strands. The spreadable web may be tensionable and may include one or more flexible filaments or strands. At least one of the filaments is coupled to the peripheral strands. The filaments may extend from the peripheral strands in different directions and/or orientations. The spreadable web is expandable and can be adjusted to various widths. The spreadable web may be knotless. The spreadable web may be tensionable.

Abstract: Surgical constructs, assemblies and methods of tissue fixation are disclosed. A surgical construct includes a spreadable web attached to a plurality of peripheral strands. The spreadable web may be tensionable and may include one or more flexible filaments or strands. At least one of the filaments is coupled to the peripheral strands. The filaments may extend from the peripheral strands in different directions and/or orientations. The spreadable web is expandable and can be adjusted to various widths. The spreadable web may be knotless. The spreadable web may be tensionable.

Abstract: This invention provides a suture system and method that does not require knots. A locking suture includes a needle and a thread that is provided with a plurality of locking barbs. The needle is applied over an end of the thread by conventional systems. The exterior surface of the thread is covered with barbs. The barbs can be arranged in rows of at least one barb each, circumscribing the thread of the suture and are oriented so that they are uniformly feathered, being closed in the direction of the needle and open toward the terminal (posterior) end. The feathering provides for the barbs to lie flat when drawn through a membrane or other material, and the bias causes them to splay open when a tension towards the terminal/posterior end is exerted. This splaying creates a locking force.

Abstract: A rotational driver that comprises a interactive portion, wherein each interactive portion comprises a first extended member and a second extended member, a rotational system and a linear motion system, wherein the rotational driver permits a left or right handed surgeons to perform the surgical suturing procedure in a less complicated and more secure way by allowing more control over the angled suturing needle and the area to be stitched, even when the suturing area is small, deep, and/or restricted. Also the rotational driver comprises several configurations at the interactive portion ends to provide selected angles for the needle during the suturing procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can include a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to rotate relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further comprise a first articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a first direction and a second articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a second direction. The articulation actuators can be configured to push the end effector. The articulation actuators can assume different configurations depending on whether they are experiencing a compressive load or a tensile load. The articulation joint can comprise an articulation frame which forms a proximal joint with the shaft and a distal joint with the end effector. The joints can comprise fixed axis joints and/or ball-and-socket joints, for example. The articulation joint can comprise links having different sizes to facilitate the articulation of the articulation joint.

Abstract: A dual needle set for hair loss treatment includes a thread configured with a plurality of strands and having a single or multiple gold threads, a first lone needle in which an end of the suture thread is inserted, and a second short needle in which the other end of the suture thread is inserted more easily to the same implanting hole of pre-implanted gold threads for tying or fixing. A needle part is formed at an end of the first and second needles, an installation groove is formed with a predetermined depth at the other end of the first and second needles so that the suture thread can be inserted, and the first and second needles include individually a bent part formed with a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a jaw assembly, an articulating assembly and a drive shaft. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaws. The articulating assembly is removably coupled to a proximal end of the jaw assembly and includes a distal joint member, a proximal joint member, and a pivot pin. The pivot pin is fixedly coupled to the distal joint member and is rotatably coupled to the proximal joint member. The jaw assembly and the distal joint member together define a first longitudinal axis. The proximal joint member defines a second longitudinal axis. The drive shaft includes a gear element that is meshingly engaged with a pivoting gear element that is fixedly coupled to the pivot pin. Longitudinal movement of the first drive shaft pivots the jaw assembly relative to the proximal joint member about a pivot axis defined by the pivot pin.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.