Abstract: A method comprises providing an articulation tool including an articulation mechanism comprising a proximal link and a distal link, end effector, elongated shaft, rotating member, and an articulation lock comprising a first lock configured to prevent pivoting of the elongated shaft about a yaw axis, a second lock configured to prevent pivoting about a pitch axis, and an actuator to actuate both locks simultaneously. The method further comprises driving movement of the proximal link which causes corresponding movement of the distal link, adjusting the actuator between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration in which the links and end effector are held in a fixed orientation with respect to the elongated shaft, and driving rotation of the rotating member which causes rotation of the elongated shaft while the links and end effector are held in the fixed orientation and rotation of the end effector about the end effector longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tool comprises an articulation mechanism comprising a pair of links. The pair of links include a proximal link on a proximal portion of the tool and a distal link on a distal portion of the tool. Movement of the proximal link causes corresponding relative movement of the distal link. The tool further includes an end effector coupled to the distal link, an elongated shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal links, and a rotating member operably coupled to the shaft. The tool further includes an articulation lock adjustable between a locked configuration in which the proximal link, the distal link, and the end effector are held la a fixed orientation with respect to the shaft while the rotating member is operable to rotate the shaft about the longitudinal axis and an unlocked configuration in which the end effector is movable with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A tool comprises an articulation mechanism comprising a pair of links. The pair of links include a proximal link on a proximal portion of the tool and a distal link on a distal portion of the tool. Movement of the proximal link causes corresponding relative movement of the distal link. The tool further includes an end effector coupled to the distal link, an elongated shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal links, and a rotating member operably coupled to the shaft. The tool further includes an articulation lock adjustable between a locked configuration in which the proximal link, the distal link, and the end effector are held in a fixed orientation with respect to the shaft while the rotating member is operable to rotate the shaft about the longitudinal axis and an unlocked configuration in which the end effector is movable with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A tool comprises an articulation mechanism comprising a pair of links. The pair of links include a proximal link on a proximal portion of the tool and a distal link on a distal portion of the tool. Movement of the proximal link causes corresponding relative movement of the distal link. The tool further includes an end effector coupled to the distal link, an elongated shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal links, and a rotating member operably coupled to the shaft. The tool further includes an articulation lock adjustable between a locked configuration in which the proximal link, the distal link, and the end effector are held la a fixed orientation with respect to the shaft while the rotating member is operable to rotate the shaft about the longitudinal axis and an unlocked configuration in which the end effector is movable with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: An articulating tool includes proximal, central and distal portions, an articulation mechanism, and first and second articulation locks. The articulation mechanism includes a pair of links, the pair comprising a proximal link on the proximal portion of the tool and a distal link on the distal portion of the tool. The first articulation lock has an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the first articulation lock impedes movement of the proximal link relative to the central portion about a yaw axis, and corresponding relative movement of the distal link. The second articulation lock also has an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the second articulation lock impedes movement of the proximal link relative to the central portion about a pitch axis, and corresponding relative movement of the distal link.

Abstract: An articulating tool includes proximal, central and distal portions, an articulation mechanism, and first and second articulation locks. The articulation mechanism includes a pair of links, the pair comprising a proximal link on the proximal portion of the tool and a distal link on the distal portion of the tool. The first articulation lock has an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the first articulation lock impedes movement of the proximal link relative to the central portion about a yaw axis, and corresponding relative movement of the distal link. The second articulation lock also has an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the second articulation lock impedes movement of the proximal link relative to the central portion about a pitch axis, and corresponding relative movement of the distal link.

Abstract: An articulating tool includes proximal, central and distal portions, an articulation mechanism, and first and second articulation locks. The articulation mechanism includes a pair of links, the pair comprising a proximal link on the proximal portion of the tool and a distal link on the distal portion of the tool. The first articulation lock has an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the first articulation lock impedes movement of the proximal link relative to the central portion about a yaw axis, and corresponding relative movement of the distal link. The second articulation lock also has an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the second articulation lock impedes movement of the proximal link relative to the central portion about a pitch axis, and corresponding relative movement of the distal link.

Abstract: An articulating tool is provided with an articulation lock. The tool includes proximal, central and distal portions, an articulation mechanism, and first and second articulation locks. The central portion of the tool is pivotably coupled to the proximal portion and the distal portion is pivotably coupled to the central portion. The articulation mechanism is configured to manipulate an angular orientation of the distal portion relative to the central portion. The articulation mechanism includes a pair of links, the pair comprising a proximal link on the proximal portion of the tool and a distal link on the distal portion of the tool. The articulation mechanism is adapted such that movement of the proximal link causes corresponding relative movement of the distal link. The first articulation lock has an engaged position and a disengaged position.