A medical device comprises a control handle (2-4), a surgical end effector (1, 20, 30), and a passive articulating joint (10) connecting the surgical end effector (1, 20, 30) to the control handle (2-4). The passive articulating joint (10) comprises a ball, a cupping device, and a ball-cup locking device for locking and unlocking the ball and the cupping device with respect to one another.