An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first shaft member, a jaw memberextending distally from the first shaft member, a second shaft member, anultrasonicblade extending distally from the second shaft member and positioned to opposethejaw member, and a force-limiting hinge assembly operably coupling the shaftmembers with one another such that movement of the shaft members between aspaced-apart position and an approximated position moves the jaw member andtheultrasonic blade between an open position and a clamping position for clampingtissue therebetween. The force-limiting hinge assembly includes a hinge armfixedlyengaged to one of the shaft members at a first end thereof and pivotablycoupled tothe other of the shaft members at a second end thereof. The hinge arm isconfigured to flex to regulate a clamping force applied to tissue clampedbetween thejaw member and the ultrasonic blade.
