A directional reflector assembly includes a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and adapted to operably engage an electrosurgical ablation probe, and a conical aperture having a proximal open apex joined to a distal end of the tubular shaft, and a distal open base, wherein an interior volume of the tubular shaft is open to the conical aperture.

Devices and methods are disclosed for preventing injury to a target tissue in proximity to the heart. The methods may include the use a device to externally manipulate the heart to move a portion of the heart away from the target tissue. The methods may also include applying therapy to the heart with the device.

Some embodiments of a shielding device can include a base and a shield coupled to the base. The shielding device can be used to provide protection for a healthcare worker (e.g., physician, nurse, technician) during a medical procedure.

A medical assembly and method are provided to effectively treat abnormal tissue, such as, a tumor. The target tissue is thermally ablate using a suitable source, such as RF or laser energy. A cooling shield is placed in contact with non-target tissue adjacent the target tissue, and actively cooled to conduct thermal energy away from the non-target tissue. In one method, the cooling shield can be placed between two organs, in which case, one of the two organs can comprise the target tissue, and the other of the two organs can comprise the non-target tissue. In this case, the cooling shied may comprise an actively cooled inflatable balloon, which can be disposed between the two organs when deflated, and then inflated. The inflated balloon can be actively cooled by pumping a cooling medium through it. In another method, the cooling shield can be embedded within the non-target tissue. In this case, the cooling shield can comprise one or more needles. If a plurality of needles is used, they can be embedded into the non-target tissue in a series, e.g., a rectilinear or curvilinear arrangement. The needle(s) can be actively cooled by jumping a cooling medium through them.

A method and apparatus for electromagnetic navigation of a surgical probe near a metal object. The electromagnetic navigation system includes a transmitter coil array and a shield. The transmitter coil array has a plurality of transmitter coils and is operable to generate the electromagnetic field to navigate the probe. The shield is positioned adjacent the metal object and is operable to shield the metal object from the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitter coil array, such that the shield substantially reduces distortion of the electromagnetic field by the metal object.

An apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object (12) can include a localized magnetic field generator (76) that is configured to generate a magnetic field (62.sup.1) and to control the magnetic field (62.sup.1) in an area of interest (38) and configured to control the magnetic field (62.sup.1) in a separate area. The separate area can be displaced from the area of interest (38) and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component (86). The object (12) can be located in the area of interest (38).

A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a resilient member. The body includes an electrical conductor and defines a longitudinal axis. The clamp arm is pivotably coupled with the body at a pivot assembly. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm includes an electrode operable to apply RF energy to tissue, wherein the clamp arm is configured to be loaded onto and removed from the body at the pivot assembly along a path that is transverse to the longitudinal axis defined by the body. The resilient member is located within the pivot assembly. The resilient member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the electrode of the clamp arm and the electrical conductor of the body.

A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm assembly, and a detent assembly. The clamp arm assembly includes a clamp arm pivotably coupled with the body at a pivot assembly. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The detent assembly is configured to provide tactile resistance to pivotal movement of the clamp arm relative to the body beyond a predefined pivot angle. The detent assembly is configured to permit pivotal movement of the clamp arm relative to the body beyond a predefined pivot angle upon application of a force sufficient to overcome the tactile resistance

A first subassembly includes a body and an ultrasonic blade. A second subassembly is configured to removably couple with the first subassembly and includes a first clamp arm and a first clamp arm actuator. The first clamp arm is configured to be located on a first side of the longitudinal axis of the body, and the first clamp arm actuator is configured to be located on a second side of the longitudinal axis, when the second subassembly is coupled with the first subassembly. The third subassembly is similar to the second subassembly except that the second clamp arm of the third subassembly is configured to be located on the second side of the longitudinal axis of the body when the third subassembly is coupled with the first subassembly.

A directional reflector assembly includes a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and adapted to operably engage an electrosurgical ablation probe, and a conical aperture having a proximal open apex joined to a distal end of the tubular shaft, and a distal open base, wherein an interior volume of the tubular shaft is open to the conical aperture.