#$%^&*AU2006203020B220120322.pdf#####SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH LATERALLY MOVED SHAFT ACTUATOR COUPLED TO PIVOTING ARTICULATION JOINT Abstract of the Invention A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic use articulates an end effector by including a laterally sliding member in a proximal portion of a shaft that pivots the end effector to a selected side. Differentially opposing actuating forces (e.g., hydraulic, fluidic, mechanical) act against the laterally sliding member without binding by incorporating guidance mechanisms between the laterally sliding member and a frame of the shaft.0 2/21 NN N(
