An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners comprising: a handle having a distal end; an articulating shaft extending from said distal end of said handle, said articulating shaft including a proximal shaft section having a longitudinal axis, a distal shaft section, and an articulating joint interconnecting said proximal and distal shaft sections; said proximal shaft section including a proximal outer tube and a proximal inner member disposed inside said proximal outer tube, wherein said proximal inner member is rigidly secured to said distal end of said handle and said proximal outer tube is adapted to slide along the longitudinal axis in distal and proximal directions relative to said proximal inner member; said distal shaft section including a distal outer tube and a distal inner member disposed inside said distal outer tube, wherein said distal outer tube is adapted to slide distally and proximally relative to said distal inner member, and wherein said distal inner member has a distal end face having a surgical fastener dispensing window; said articulating joint including a first pivot connection between a distal end of said proximal outer tube and a proximal end of said distal outer tube, and a joining member including a second pivot connection with said proximal inner member and a third pivot connection with said distal outer tube; an articulation control element coupled with said proximal outer tube for moving said proximal outer tube relative to the proximal inner member along the longitudinal axis in the distal and proximal directions, wherein the proximal outer tube is configured such that distal movement of said proximal outer tube results in articulation of said distal shaft section relative to said proximal shaft section via said articulating joint; and an incompressible member interconnecting said proximal inner member and said distal inner member suitable for maintaining a constant travel path distance for the surgical fasteners, extending between the distal end face of the distal inner member and the proximal end of the proximal inner member secured to the handle; wherein as said articulating shaft moves between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration, the distance between a distal-most end of said distal outer tube and said distal end of said handle changes. comprising: a handle having a distal end; an articulating shaft extending from said distal end of said handle, said articulating shaft including a proximal shaft section having a longitudinal axis, a distal shaft section, and an articulating joint interconnecting said proximal and distal shaft sections; said proximal shaft section including a proximal outer tube and a proximal inner member disposed inside said proximal outer tube, wherein said proximal inner member is rigidly secured to said distal end of said handle and said proximal outer tube is adapted to slide along the longitudinal axis in distal and proximal directions relative to said proximal inner member; said distal shaft section including a distal outer tube and a distal inner member disposed inside said distal outer tube, wherein said distal outer tube is adapted to slide distally and proximally relative to said distal inner member, and wherein said distal inner member has a distal end face having a surgical fastener dispensing window; said articulating joint including a first pivot connection between a distal end of said proximal outer tube and a proximal end of said distal outer tube, and a joining member including a second pivot connection with said proximal inner member and a third pivot connection with said distal outer tube; an articulation control element coupled with said proximal outer tube for moving said proximal outer tube relative to the proximal inner member along the longitudinal axis in the distal and proximal directions, wherein the proximal outer tube is configured such that distal movement of said proximal outer tube results in articulation of said distal shaft section relative to said proximal shaft section via said articulating joint; and an incompressible member interconnecting said proximal inner member and said distal inner member suitable for maintaining a constant travel path distance for the surgical fasteners, extending between the distal end face of the distal inner member and the proximal end of the proximal inner member secured to the handle; wherein as said articulating shaft moves between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration, the distance between a distal-most end of said distal outer tube and said distal end of said handle changes.