Surgical instruments with lockable articulating end effector

摘要

Hand-held surgical instruments that have and end effector attached to an elongate shaft are disclosed. The end effector has at least a portion that is movable in response to opening and closing motions applied thereto by a closure member. An articulation control system is provided to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft. An articulation locking system is provided to lock the end effector in a desired articulated position. The locking system interfaces with the closure member and is activated upon application of a closure motion to the end effector.