Patent attributes
A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, an articulating tool assembly and a locking assembly is disclosed. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion and defines a first longitudinal axis. The articulating tool assembly defines a second longitudinal axis and is movable from a first position where the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position where the second longitudinal axis is at an angle to the first longitudinal axis. The locking assembly includes a pusher in mechanical cooperation with the body portion and a pivot in mechanical cooperation with the articulating tool assembly. The pusher includes a mating surface dimensioned to mate with a pivot mating surface. The pusher is distally biased towards the pivot and is forced proximally as the articulating tool assembly is moved to the second position.
