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.

A boot for an electrosurgical instrument has a conductive boot shield substantially enclosed by one or more insulating layers. The boot shield has a flexible conductive medium. The flexible conductive medium has a plurality of conductive components suspended in at least one of a first liquid or a first gel, whereby the boot is configured to bend with a bend radius of about 10 millimeters or less without a loss in conductivity of the boot shield. A related method and system are also provided.

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.

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.

An intra-oral device for positioning oral tissues during medical treatment, for example, radiation treatment. The device includes upper and lower dental arch members configured to engage the maxillary and mandibular teeth or edentulous arch(es) of a patient, respectively. Moldable material is maintained within channels formed in the dental arch members by partially extruding the material through keyways formed in the arch members during the bite mold process. The upper and lower dental arch members are operatively coupled to provide a dental arch assembly. A protective element to displace or depress a patients tongue is secured at a suitable working position with respect to the dental arch assembly via a threaded strut adjustably coupled between the protective element and a support structure disposed between the dental arch members.

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.

The invention provides a method for locating radioactive material implanted in a living body, the method having the steps of implanting a stent into the body, the stent containing the radioactive material; imaging the body to determine a first position of the stent relative to remote points on the body; determining a second position of the stent at a second time later than the time of the implanting step; and measuring the distance between said first position and said second position. Also provided is a system for determining movement of a radiation source implanted in a living body, the device having a radiographic film overlaying a region of the body so as to oppose the radiation source, whereby the film is positioned relative to a reference point on the body; a grid disposed between the film and the body; and a radio-opaque substrate overlaying the film.

The present invention relates to a flexible surgical system for endoscopic spinal decompression and methods thereof. Various methods of accessing the epidural space with this instrument are described. The system design enables placement of the device through several approaches. It is then advanced under direct visualization or fluoroscopic (X-Ray), for example, into areas of the spine including lumbar (low back), thoracic (mid and upper back) and cervical (neck). The pathologies encroaching upon the spinal space can then be visualized wherein the epidural membrane can optionally be displaced to further aid in visualization. The membrane can be used to protect regions of tissue adjacent the site to tissue removal.

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).

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.