Collet Based Locking Mechanism

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a housing supporting first and second actuators thereon, the first and second actuators adapted for manipulation by a user to control the instrument;
• an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing to define a longitudinal axis;
• an end effector supported by a distal portion of the elongated shaft, the end effector adapted for surgically treating tissue;
• at least one tensile member extending longitudinally through the elongated shaft, the at least one tensile member operatively coupled to the first actuator and to the end effector such that manipulation of the first actuator induces an attendant motion of the at least one tensile member, and motion of the at least one tensile member induces an attendant motion of the end effector;
• and
• a locking mechanism operatively associated with the at least one tensile member to selectively impede motion of the at least one tensile member and the attendant motion of the end effector, the locking mechanism comprising:
• a collet disposed radially about the at least one tensile member;
• a collet clamp including a void defined therein, wherein receipt of the collet into the void induces radial compression of the collet to engage the at least one tensile member and to impede the motion of the tensile member through the collet, and wherein withdrawal of the collet from the void induces radial expansion of the collet such that the collet releases the at least one tensile member;
• and
• an actuation member extending at least partially through the elongated shaft, the actuation member including a proximal end operatively coupled to the second actuator and a distal end coupled to at least one of the collet and the collet clamp such that manipulation of the second actuator induces an attendant motion of at least one of the collet and the collet clamp to insert and withdraw the collet from the void.