CPC A61B 17/072 (2013.01) [A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.02); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00407 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00473 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2946 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
a spine assembly defining a shaft axis;
a surgical end effector supported for selective articulation relative to said spine assembly;
a closure member supported on said spine assembly; and
an articulation system comprising:
at least one elongate articulation driver comprising a flexible proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein said distal portion operably interfaces with said surgical end effector to apply articulation motions thereto; and
an articulation lock member corresponding to said proximal portion of each said elongate articulation driver, wherein axial movement of each said elongate articulation driver causes said proximal portion thereof to flex laterally into a corresponding clearance area between said closure member and a corresponding portion of said spine assembly to unlockingly disengage said corresponding articulation lock member, and wherein when said axial movement of each said elongate articulation driver is stopped, said proximal portion thereof lockingly engages said corresponding articulation lock member.
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