Patent ID: 7435248

Claim:
A probe for ablating tissue, comprising: an outer elongate probe body including a distal ablative structure having an open architecture defining an interior space, wherein the ablative structure tapers downward to a distal tip insertable into the ostium of a pulmonary vein; a lumen extending through the outer probe body, the lumen configured to slidably receive an inner elongate probe body, such that the inner elongate probe body can move independently of the distal ablative structure, the lumen having an exit port out which the inner probe body can extend within the interior space; and one or more ablative elements mounted to the distal ablative structure, wherein the ablative structure is configured for engaging a portion of the pulmonary vein just distal to the ostium of the pulmonary vein, so that the one or more ablative elements are arranged to create a circumferential lesion within the pulmonary vein.