Surgical instrument with jaw member

A method for actuating a surgical instrument, comprising:

• positioning an end effector having first and second jaw members such that tissue is disposed within a gap between the first and second jaw members;
• applying a first compression force to the tissue by advancing a compression member distally along a first portion of a closure track that extends from a proximal end to a distal end of at least one of the first and second jaw members;
• applying at least a second compression force that is different than the first compression force to the tissue by advancing the compression member along a second portion of the closure track;
• and
• applying the first compressive force to tissue by advancing the compression member along a third portion of the closure track positioned distally of the second portion of the closure track.

A surgical end effector, comprising:

• first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position to clamp tissue therebetween;
• a first closure track formed in the first jaw member and extending along a length thereof;
• a second closure track formed in the second jaw member and extending along a length thereof;
• and
• a compression member configured to translate longitudinally along a length of the end effector such that a first portion of the compression member contacts the first closure track and a second portion of the compression member contacts the second closure track to apply a compression force to tissue as the compression member is advanced towards a distal end of the end effector;
• wherein the first closure track includes at least one sloped or curved portion such that, when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position, a distance between the first closure track and the second closure track varies along a length of the end effector;
• wherein the first closure track further includes a closure ramp at a proximal end thereof configured to move the first and second jaw members from the open position to a substantially closed position, and wherein the at least one sloped or curved portion is disposed distal to the closure ramp.