A surgical instrument having a segmented drive member (950) is provided. The instrument includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly mounted on a distal end of the body portion, and a drive member operably connecting the handle portion to the tool assembly. The tool assembly is articulable from a first position along the longitudinal axis to second position. The drive member is configured for actuating the tool assembly in at least the first and second position. The drive member includes a flexible band having first and second surfaces and a plurality of segments mounted on at least the first surface of the band.
