Patent ID: 11883058
Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 11:
12. An end effector assembly of an ultrasonic surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
an ultrasonic blade including a tissue-contacting surface defined by a pair of surfaces that converge at an apex; and
a jaw member pivotable relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a clamping position, the jaw member including:
a structural body defining an elongated opening and including at least one living hinge defined in the structural body; and
a jaw liner engaged within the elongated opening, the jaw liner defining a jaw liner compliance feature including a longitudinally-extending channel in at least an outwardly-flexed condition of the jaw liner, the jaw liner compliance feature recessed into the jaw liner and configured for positioning in substantial alignment with the apex in the clamping position of the jaw member, the jaw liner compliance feature and the at least one living hinge configured to facilitate outward deflection of opposing portions of the jaw liner on either side of the longitudinally-extending channel to transition the jaw liner from an at-rest condition to the outwardly-flexed condition to tension tissue clamped between the jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.