SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS

摘要

A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The stapling apparatus further comprises a firing drive responsive to an input, an articulation drive, and a switch assembly configured to selectively couple the articulation drive to the input. In various instances, the switch assembly is configured to lock the articulation drive in position when the articulation drive is not coupled to the input.