Handpiece and blade configurations for ultrasonic surgical instrument

An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a handle assembly;
• (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle assembly, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis;
• (c) an end effector comprising a pivotable clamp arm and an active element, wherein the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the shaft assembly;
• and
• (d) a trigger, wherein the trigger is pivotably coupled with the body, wherein the trigger is pivotable about an axis located above the shaft assembly, wherein the trigger is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, wherein the trigger is operable to cause pivotal movement of the clamp arm in response to pivoting of the trigger between the first position and the second position.

An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a handle assembly;
• (b) an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations;
• (c) a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle assembly, wherein the shaft defines a longitudinal axis;
• (d) an end effector comprising a pivotable clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer via a waveguide, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises:
• (i) a first relief formed in the ultrasonic blade and extending in a first direction, and
• (ii) a second relief formed in the ultrasonic blade and extending in a second direction.