Patent ID: 8584921

Claim:
A 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 including at least one recess therein, the articulating tool assembly being 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 to the first longitudinal axis; and at least one coupling member including proximal and distal ends with an opening disposed therebetween, the proximal end including at least one spring arm extending therefrom and through the opening, the at least a portion of the spring arm being receivable in the recess of the articulating tool assembly to releasably retain the articulating tool assembly in the first position until a progressive force sufficient to deflect outwardly the at least one spring arm is applied to the tool assembly to articulate the tool assembly, wherein the articulating tool assembly is releasably retained in the first position when a portion of the spring arm is at least partially within the recess, and wherein the articulating tool assembly is in the second position when the spring arm has been disengaged from the recess.