Surgical stapler having an articulation mechanism

An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical instrument, comprising:

• an elongate housing;
• a shaft at least partially disposed in said housing;
• a first member disposed about the shaft;
• a second member disposed about the shaft;
• wherein the first and second members are coaxially disposed about the shaft;
• and
• a flexible member operatively coupled to the first and second members, the flexible member having distal and proximal portions;
• wherein upon rotation of the shaft at least one of the first and second members moves longitudinally along the shaft with respect to the other of the first and second members between a first position where the first and second members are approximated towards each other and a second position where the first and second members are spaced apart from each other, said longitudinal motion causing the distal portion of the flexible member to articulate relative to the proximal portion.