A medical device includes a control handle (2-4) having an articulation joint actuator (4), a surgical end effector (1), and a passive articulating joint (10) connecting the end effector (1) to the control handle (2-4). The articulation joint actuator (4), when unactuated, holds the passive articulation joint (10) and, thereby, the end effector (1), in a substantially fixed articulation position, and, when actuated, releases the passive articulation joint (10) into a freely articulating state to permit free articulation of the end effector (1) with respect to the control handle (2-4) dependent upon external forces acting upon the end effector (1).
