slots 14 and 13 if a larger length is desired a more proximal portion will be inserted reference letter u201c l u201d and u201c s u201d in fig3 provide by way of example a sample location for a longer or shorter stabilizer respectively with respect to the position of fig3 after articulating arm 62 is positioned in first and second mounting sections 29 30 articulating arm 62 is maneuvered so the heart stabilizer is in the appropriate position rotation knob 42 is then rotated to retract the cable 47 to make articulating arm 62 rigid so as to maintain the stabilizer in the desired orientation relative to the heart tissue referring now to fig1 29 an alternative embodiment of a surgical instrument generally designated as surgical instrument 200 will now be described in detail briefly similar to the instrument embodiment described above surgical instrument 200 includes a multi configurable articulating arm 210 which is operable from a freely flexible condition to a rigid locked configuration by way of a handle assembly 212 surgical instrument 200 further includes a tension adjusting mechanism 214 to vary the degree of tension imparted in a cable of articulating arm 210 this enables the flexibility of the arm to be selectively adjusted surgical instrument.