Surgical instruments for tensioning tissue

An end effector, comprising:

• a first jaw comprising a first lateral side, a second lateral side, and a first width defined intermediate said first lateral side and said second lateral side;
• a second jaw comprising a second width, wherein at least one of said first jaw and said second jaw is moveable through a range of positions to move the end effector between an open configuration and a fully clamped configuration;
• a longitudinal slot, wherein said longitudinal slot transects said first jaw between said first lateral side and said second lateral side and extends distally beyond a portion of said second jaw;
• and
• a cutting member movable along said longitudinal slot;
• wherein said first width of said first jaw and said second width of said second jaw are adaptable to adjust a force applied to tissue clamped between said first jaw and said second jaw when the end effector is in the fully clamped configuration.

An end effector, comprising:

• a first jaw comprising a width, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side;
• a second jaw, wherein at least one of said first jaw and said second jaw is moveable through a range of positions to move the end effector between an open configuration and a fully clamped configuration;
• a longitudinal slot, wherein said longitudinal slot transects said first jaw between said first lateral side and said second lateral side and extends distally beyond a portion of said second jaw;
• and
• a cutting member movable along said longitudinal slot;
• wherein said width of said first jaw is configured to change to adjust a pressure in tissue clamped between said first jaw and said second jaw when the end effector is in the fully clamped configuration.