Patent ID: 7326206

Claim:
A shielded-tip, electrode catheter for tissue ablation, the catheter comprising an outer sheath having a distal end; an inner sheath slideably mounted within said outer sheath, said inner sheath having a distal end, wherein a separation distance between said distal end of said inner sheath and said distal end of said outer sheath is adapted to be adjustable; a conforming electrode adapted to apply ablative energy to target tissue, said conforming electrode comprising an embedded portion and an exposed portion, wherein said embedded portion extends into said distal end of said inner sheath, and wherein said exposed portion has a distal end, wherein a working surface is present at said distal end of said exposed portion, and wherein said exposed portion extends from said distal end of said inner sheath and from said distal end of said outer sheath; and a primary conductor in electrical contact with said conforming electrode and adapted to carry ablative energy from an energy source to said conforming electrode, wherein said primary conductor is in electrical contact with said conforming electrode via an energy transfer coil surrounding at least a contact portion of said conforming electrode.