Patent ID: 8733612

Claim:
A powered surgical instrument comprising: a handle portion; a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis; an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end, the articulating tool assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion and being movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis; and an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, wherein the articulation mechanism includes: a motor operatively coupled to the articulating tool assembly; a controller electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor; and at least one switch coupled to the controller, wherein the at least one switch is configured to signal the controller to activate the articulation mechanism in response to the at least one switch being engaged for a period of time having a duration in the range of about one second to about five seconds.