An ultrasonic instrument comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body; (c) an ultrasonic blade positioned distal to the shaft assembly; and (d) a pivoting member, wherein the pivoting member is pivotably coupled with the shaft assembly, wherein the pivoting member defines a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the blade from an open position to a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the pivoting member and the blade; wherein one or both of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly comprise a guide feature (100, 110, 120, 130, 140) configured to provide lateral alignment of the distal portion of the pivoting member with the blade as the pivoting member is pivoted to the closed position, wherein the guide feature comprises at least one projection extending transversely from one or both of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly, towards an opposing surface of the other of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly, characterized in that the guide feature further comprises a pocket formed in the other of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly, wherein the pocket is configured to receive the at least one projection when the pivoting member is in the closed position (a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body; (c) an ultrasonic blade positioned distal to the shaft assembly; and (d) a pivoting member, wherein the pivoting member is pivotably coupled with the shaft assembly, wherein the pivoting member defines a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the blade from an open position to a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the pivoting member and the blade; wherein one or both of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly comprise a guide feature (100, 110, 120, 130, 140) configured to provide lateral alignment of the distal portion of the pivoting member with the blade as the pivoting member is pivoted to the closed position, wherein the guide feature comprises at least one projection extending transversely from one or both of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly, towards an opposing surface of the other of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly, characterized in that the guide feature further comprises a pocket formed in the other of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly, wherein the pocket is configured to receive the at least one projection when the pivoting member is in the closed position wherein the pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the blade from an open position to a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the pivoting member and the blade; wherein one or both of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly comprise a guide feature (100, 110, 120, 130, 140) configured to provide lateral alignment of the distal portion of the pivoting member with the blade as the pivoting member is pivoted to the closed position, wherein the guide feature comprises at least one projection extending transversely from one or both of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly, towards an opposing surface of the other of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly, characterized in that the guide feature further comprises a pocket formed in the other of the pivoting member or the shaft assembly, wherein the pocket is configured to receive the at least one projection when the pivoting member is in the closed position