An ultrasonic surgical instrument (10) includes a first shaft member (110a), a jaw member (164) extending distally from the first shaft member, a second shaft member (110b), an ultrasonic blade (162) extending distally from the second shaft member and positioned to oppose the jaw member, and a force-limiting hinge assembly (180) operably coupling the shaft members with one another such that movement of the shaft members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position moves the jaw member and the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a clamping position for clamping tissue therebetween. The force-limiting hinge assembly includes a hinge arm (184) fixedly engaged to one of the shaft members at a first end thereof and pivotably coupled to the other of the shaft members at a second end thereof. The hinge arm is configured to flex to regulate a clamping force applied to tissue clamped between the jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.
