#$%^&*AU2014201989A120140424.pdf#####ARTICULATION AND FIRING FORCE MECHANISMS ABSTRACT A surgical instrument (10) comprising: a handle (12) having an elongate tubular member (16) extending distally from the handle (12), the elongate tubular member (16) having a proximal portion (34) defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion (32), and an articulation portion (30) positioned between the distal (32) and proximal (34) portions to enable the distal portion (32) to move through a plurality of angles relative to the longitudinal axis and a drive force mechanism including a drive element (70) positioned in the proximal portion (34), a transfer device (84) positioned in the articulation portion (30). and a transfer bar (88) positioned in the distal portion (32), the drive element (70) directing a drive force through the proximal portion (34), the transfer device (84) redirecting the drive force through the articulation portion (30), and the transfer bar (88) receiving the driving force while the distal portion (32) is positioned in at least one of the plurality of angles.
