Surgical instruments incorporating ultrasonic and electrosurgical functionality

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an end effector assembly, including:
• a first jaw member;
• and
• a second jaw member including an ultrasonic blade body, the ultrasonic blade body defining an upper surface facing the first jaw member, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the second jaw member including first and second electrodes disposed on the first lateral side and the second lateral side, respectively, of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body, the first electrode defining a first upper surface and the second electrode defining a second upper surface, the ultrasonic blade body adapted to receive ultrasonic energy, the first and second electrodes tapering in width proximally to distally and adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy, wherein the first upper surface of the first electrode and the second upper surface of the second electrode are aligned with the upper surface of the ultrasonic blade body to define a substantially planar surface configured to contact tissue,
• wherein the first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.