Patent ID: 8226675

Claim:
A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade and a clamp jaw, the clamp jaw comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a tissue engaging portion on a first side, and a longitudinal channel on a second side, wherein the clamp jaw is rotatable about a pivot point along an arcuate path from a closed tissue engaging position to a fully open position; wherein in both the closed tissue engaging and the fully open positions the clamp jaw is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by the end effector; wherein in the closed tissue engaging position the distal end of the clamp jaw is distal relative to the pivot point; and wherein in the fully open position the distal end of the clamp jaw is proximal relative to the pivot point; the surgical instrument further comprising: an actuator member coupled to the clamp jaw, wherein a longitudinal portion of the actuator member is configured to translate to affect rotation of the clamp jaw between the closed tissue engaging position and the fully open position, and wherein the longitudinal portion of the actuator member translates within the longitudinal channel of the clamp jaw when the clamp jaw is in the fully open position.