#$%^&*AU2006202972B220120524.pdf#####SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATING SHAFT LOCKING MECHANISM Abstract of the Invention 5 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. A 10 locking member advantageously unlocks automatically as articulation is commanded by resists backdriving of the mechanism. 151/21 34 10 22 2 I 320 24 18 28 16 14 20 F2 40 FIG. 1
