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. <EOS>