Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing, among other things, an intra-oral x-ray imaging system configured to reduce patient exposure to x-rays, reduce amount of scatter, transmission, or re-radiation during imaging, or improve x-ray image quality. In an embodiment, an intra-oral x-ray imaging system includes an intra-oral x-ray sensor configured to communicate intra-oral x-ray sensor position information or intra-oral x-ray sensor orientation information to a remote x-ray source.

The invention is a system for monitoring and controlling tissue ablation. The system includes a controller configured to selectively control energy emission from an electrode array of an ablation device based on ablation feedback received during an ablation procedure with the ablation device. The controller is configured to receive feedback data from one or more sensors during the ablation procedure, the feedback data comprising one or more measurements associated with at least one of operation of the electrode array of the ablation device and tissue adjacent to the electrode array. The controller is further configured to generate an ablation pattern for controlling energy emission from the electrode array of the ablation device in response to the received feedback data.

Apparatus and methods for ablation efficacy are described herein where a hood having a deployable elongated feature can extend beyond a distal face of the hood. The elongated feature can channel the energy to the deeper regions within the tissue (such as trabeculated regions or other tissue structures) such that the energy can be delivered to the target tissue despite small or large irregularities in the target tissue surface (or region) and/or changes in the relative distances between the hood and the target tissue.

An eyelid manipulation device includes a rigid contact portion dimensioned to be insinuated between an eyelid and a globe, the contact portion having an upwardly-facing surface opposite a downwardly-facing surface, each of the surfaces extending between a distal side and a proximal side of the contact portion; and a rigid stem integral with and extending upwardly from the proximal side of the contact portion. In embodiments, the stem is connectable to a handle. In other embodiments, the stem is elongated, thereby serving as a handle. The eyelid manipulation device may be used during treatment of Meibomian glands or otherwise during treatment of dry eye symptoms.

Unintended current flow or plasma discharge has been observed in known illuminated electrosurgical devices having a metallic tubular heat sink surrounding a conductive electrode and an illumination element, and having a distal outer edge that abuts against the light emitting element. An insulating, shielding or other isolating element that prevents or discourages unintended plasma formation between the distal outer edge and nearby patient tissue can reduce the potential for tissue damage to a patient or injury to a surgeon.

A surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, an end effector, and an electrical switch is disclosed. The waveguide comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm comprises a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator. The electrical switch is operable to cause the surgical instrument to deliver electrical current from the RF generator to the movable jaw member for a first period, and to cause the surgical instrument to deliver ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade for a second period.

A clitoris shield has an oval body with a convex surface and a concave surface, a rectangular laser guide extending longitudinally from the oval body; and an arcuate laser guide extending radially from the convex surface. The clitoris shield is made of a material having a color that disperses, reflects, and/or blocks laser energy. The arcuate laser guard has a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oval body and the rectangular laser guide. The concave surface fits a clitoris. The clitoris shield prevents a woman from getting burned on her clitoris during laser hair removal, avoiding pain and permanent damage to the clitoris.

A tissue guard for use with a surgical access device includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end and lumen defined therebetween. A proximal lip extends radially from the proximal end and is configured to mount atop a rim of an access device. The proximal lip includes an annular channel defined therein disposed in fluid communication with the lumen, the annular channel configured to direct surgical gases from the lumen to a smoke evacuation system. The annular channel includes a neck defined therein disposed between the lumen and the annular channel, the neck having geometry configured to induce the evacuation of surgical gases or smoke therethrough. One or more fingers extend from the proximal lip and are configured to engage an access device to secure the tissue guard thereon.

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

An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.