Surgical instrument with tendon preload-and-locking device

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a handle having an elongated shaft extending therefrom;
• an end effector extending distally from the elongated shaft;
• at least one tensile member extending at least partially through the elongated shaft;
• and
• a preload mechanism for adjusting a tensile force in the tensile member, the preload mechanism defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:
• first and second guides disposed about both the tensile member and the longitudinal axis, the first and second guides in contact with the tensile member to urge the tensile member radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis at respective first and second lateral distances from the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a third guide disposed about both the tensile member and the longitudinal axis longitudinally between the first and second guides and in contact with the tensile member to urge the tensile member radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis, the third guide movable along the longitudinal axis to vary a corresponding length of the tensile member disposed longitudinally between the first and second guides, thereby varying the tensile force in the tensile member.