Electrosurgical end effector with independent closure feature and blade

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) a body comprising an actuator operable to be manually manipulated by a user;
• (b) an end effector extending from the body, wherein the end effector is configured to grasp a portion of tissue;
• (c) a first beam extending through the end effector, wherein the first beam is configured to advance within the end effector;
• (d) a second beam extending through the end effector, wherein the second beam is configured to advance with the first beam when the second beam has engaged the first beam, wherein the second beam is further configured to remain longitudinally stationary when the second beam has disengaged the first beam;
• and
• (e) an engagement feature configured to selectively engage the second beam with the first beam within the end effector.

An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a body comprising an actuator;
• (b) an end effector in communication with the body, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw configured to clamp tissue;
• and
• (c) a translating member operable to translate through the first and second jaws, wherein the translating member comprises:
• (i) a vertical blade, and
• (ii) an upper flange disposed above the vertical blade, wherein at least part of the upper flange is positioned to translate through a channel formed in the first jaw, wherein the upper flange is resiliently biased to drive the first jaw toward the second jaw.