Patent ID: 7172590

Claim:
A device for heating tissue comprising: an elongate catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a catheter wall defining a compartment within the catheter, a window through the catheter wall open to the compartment, and at least one lumen passing between a first opening in the proximal end and a second opening in the compartment, the first opening being connected to a vacuum source; a cartridge at least partially disposed within the compartment, the cartridge having a surface with a heating element disposed along the cartridge, and an energy source operatively coupled to the heating element, the cartridge being operable to urge tissue into the compartment when the first opening is connected to the vacuum source; and a controller coupled to the cartridge and operable to selectively position and move the cartridge relative to the catheter and thereby provide a controlled movement of the heating surface along the window.