Patent ID: 6852120

Claim:
An irrigation ablation probe comprising: an elongated probe body having a length between proximal and distal ends and comprising an elongated ablation electrode extending the length of the elongated probe body, wherein the elongated ablation electrode defines an inner cavity, the elongated ablation electrode having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass from the inner cavity to the outside of the elongated ablation electrode, the ablation electrode being generally rigid from its proximal end to its distal end so that the ablation electrode cannot bend during ablation, and wherein the elongated ablation electrode has an exposed distal portion that is generally straight and forms an angle α greater than 0° with the remainder of the elongated probe body, the angle α being preformed; a sheath positioned on the elongated ablation electrode and configured to define the exposed distal portion, wherein the elongated ablation electrode has a length greater than a length of the sheath; means for introducing fluid into the inner cavity; and a handle mounted at the proximal end of the elongated probe body, the handle comprising a housing having a generally open interior receiving a proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode; wherein the elongated ablation electrode remains in a fixed position relative to the elongated probe body and the handle during operation of the probe.