Surgical cutting and sealing instrument with reduced firing force

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an end effector coupled comprising:
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are operably coupled together;
• a cutting member configured to translate with respect to the first jaw and the second jaw;
• and
• at least one compression element extending from the cutting member, wherein the at least one compression element is configured to contact the first jaw such that the first jaw rotates with respect to the second jaw when the cutting member translates with respect to the first jaw, wherein the at least one compression element comprises one or both of a roller and a low-friction material, wherein the static coefficient of friction between the low-friction material and the first jaw is less than or equal to about 0.10.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an end effector comprising:
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are operably coupled together;
• a cutting member configured to translate with respect to the first jaw between a retracted position and a fully advanced position, the cutting member defining a longitudinal axis;
• and
• at least one compression element extending from the cutting member, wherein the at least one compression element is configured to contact the first jaw such that the first jaw rotates with respect to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position when the cutting member translates with respect to the first jaw, wherein the first jaw is precurved such that the first jaw curves away from the longitudinal axis when the first jaw is in the open position and no external load is applied to the first jaw.