A surgical grasping instrument comprising: a handle assembly comprising: a stationary handle, and a movable handle pivotably coupled to the stationary handle; an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle assembly, wherein the elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a central longitudinal axis defined by the proximal end and the distal end, the elongate shaft comprising: an outer tube, and an actuator positioned longitudinally within the outer tube, wherein the actuator having a sliding fit with the outer tube, and wherein the actuator being responsive to pivotal movement of the movable handle; and a jaw assembly at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the jaw assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are pivotable between an open configuration of the jaw assembly and a closed configuration of the jaw assembly responsive to pivotal movement of the movable handle, wherein the actuator has a first length along the central longitudinal axis, and wherein the actuator comprises an extension element that lengthens the actuator to a second length greater than the first length in response to a predetermined force applied to the actuator; characterised in that the actuator has a height, and a width, wherein the width is substantially smaller than the height such that the actuator has a planar profile and in that the actuator comprises a stack of two or more adjoining actuator members assembled together in parallel. a handle assembly comprising: a stationary handle, and a movable handle pivotably coupled to the stationary handle; a stationary handle, and a movable handle pivotably coupled to the stationary handle; an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle assembly, wherein the elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a central longitudinal axis defined by the proximal end and the distal end, the elongate shaft comprising: an outer tube, and an actuator positioned longitudinally within the outer tube, wherein the actuator having a sliding fit with the outer tube, and wherein the actuator being responsive to pivotal movement of the movable handle; and an outer tube, and an actuator positioned longitudinally within the outer tube, wherein the actuator having a sliding fit with the outer tube, and wherein the actuator being responsive to pivotal movement of the movable handle; and a jaw assembly at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the jaw assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are pivotable between an open configuration of the jaw assembly and a closed configuration of the jaw assembly responsive to pivotal movement of the movable handle, wherein the actuator has a first length along the central longitudinal axis, and wherein the actuator comprises an extension element that lengthens the actuator to a second length greater than the first length in response to a predetermined force applied to the actuator; characterised in that the actuator has a height, and a width, wherein the width is substantially smaller than the height such that the actuator has a planar profile and in that the actuator comprises a stack of two or more adjoining actuator members assembled together in parallel.