Patent ID: 6893434

Claim:
An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising: a. an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations; b. a grasper assembly connected to said transducer, said grasper assembly including: i) a blade element extending along a central axis to a distal tip; and ii) a pivotable, elongated grasping jaw movable relative to said blade element in the direction of said axis, said jaw being movable from an extended position, wherein said elongated jaw extends along said axis and beyond said distal tip, to a closed position, in which said jaw extends transverse to said axis and opposite to said distal tip and the distal tip of said blade element and the jaw are adapted to capture tissue therebetween, said jaw being further movable to a retracted position in which said jaw extends along said axis and extends no further than said distal tip of said blade element.