Ultrasonic transducer to blade acoustic coupling, connections, and configurations

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a shaft comprising an articulation section;
• an ultrasonic waveguide operably coupled the shaft, wherein the ultrasonic waveguide is configured to articulate at the articulation section;
• an end effector comprising a clamp arm located distal of the articulation section and pivotally coupled to the ultrasonic waveguide;
• and
• one or more assemblies, each of the one or more assemblies comprising at least one rack and at least one ring operably coupled to the at least one rack, wherein the one or more assemblies being configured such that movement of the rack causes movement of the ring, wherein movement of the ring causes articulation of the end effector, rotation of the clamp arm around the ultrasonic waveguide, or closure of the clamp arm.