A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector comprising at least one of an ultrasonic end effector or an electrosurgical end effector; a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft comprises: a distal portion , wherein the end effector is coupled to the distal portion; and an articulation portion positioned proximal to the distal portion, wherein the articulation portion comprises a plurality of interfacing joint members , and wherein each joint member comprises a first channel and a second channel ; a first articulation cable extending through each first channel of each of the plurality of joint members to the distal portion, wherein the first articulation cable is coupled to at least one of the end effector and the distal portion; and a second articulation cable extending through each second channel of each of the plurality of joint members to the distal portion, wherein the second articulation cable is coupled to at least one of the end effector and the distal portion; wherein the first articulation cable and the second articulation cable are transitionable between: an unlocked state, where the first articulation cable and the second articulation cable are free to translate distally and proximally and the plurality of joint members are slidable relative to one another to pivot the distal portion away from the longitudinal axis; and a locked state, where translation of the first articulation cable and the second articulation cable is locked, causing a position of the distal portion relative to the longitudinal axis to be locked. an end effector comprising at least one of an ultrasonic end effector or an electrosurgical end effector; a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft comprises: a distal portion , wherein the end effector is coupled to the distal portion; and an articulation portion positioned proximal to the distal portion, wherein the articulation portion comprises a plurality of interfacing joint members , and wherein each joint member comprises a first channel and a second channel ; a distal portion , wherein the end effector is coupled to the distal portion; and an articulation portion positioned proximal to the distal portion, wherein the articulation portion comprises a plurality of interfacing joint members , and wherein each joint member comprises a first channel and a second channel ; a first articulation cable extending through each first channel of each of the plurality of joint members to the distal portion, wherein the first articulation cable is coupled to at least one of the end effector and the distal portion; and a second articulation cable extending through each second channel of each of the plurality of joint members to the distal portion, wherein the second articulation cable is coupled to at least one of the end effector and the distal portion; wherein the first articulation cable and the second articulation cable are transitionable between: an unlocked state, where the first articulation cable and the second articulation cable are free to translate distally and proximally and the plurality of joint members are slidable relative to one another to pivot the distal portion away from the longitudinal axis; and a locked state, where translation of the first articulation cable and the second articulation cable is locked, causing a position of the distal portion relative to the longitudinal axis to be locked. an unlocked state, where the first articulation cable and the second articulation cable are free to translate distally and proximally and the plurality of joint members are slidable relative to one another to pivot the distal portion away from the longitudinal axis; and a locked state, where translation of the first articulation cable and the second articulation cable is locked, causing a position of the distal portion relative to the longitudinal axis to be locked. <EOS>