Flexible device for ablation of biological tissue

A method of ablating tissue, comprising the steps of:

• providing an ablation system comprising a tubular member having a deflectable distal portion, the distal portion comprising at least one ablation element from which ablative energy is emitted, the distal portion being configured to be deflected to a predetermined shape wherefrom a relatively uniform energy pattern is emitted;
• advancing the distal portion of the ablation system into a patient's body until the distal portion is near a target tissue site;
• deflecting the distal portion of the ablation catheter, the distal portion assuming the predetermined shape;
• advancing the distal portion of the ablation catheter until the distal portion is proximate the target tissue;
• and
• applying ablative energy to the at least one ablation element to ablate the target tissue proximate the distal portion of the ablation catheter.

A method for ablating a target tissue within a hollow body organ, the steps comprising:

• providing an elongated tubular member having a means for deflecting a distal end thereof, the distal end including at least one ablation element, wherein operation of the deflection means results in the creation of a desired energy pattern about the distal end of the elongated tubular member;
• advancing the distal end of the tubular member to a point where at least a portion of the distal end is within the hollow body organ;
• operating the deflection means to deflect at least a portion of the distal end of the tubular member;
• positioning at least a portion of the distal end of the tubular member proximate to the target tissue, the longitudinal axis of the tubular member immediately proximal to the distal portion thereof and the target tissue defining an azimuth angle therebetween;
• ablating at least a portion of the target tissue.

An ablation system for ablating a hollow body organ, comprising:

• an elongated tubular member having a means for deflecting a distal portion thereof, the longitudinal axis of the tubular member immediately proximal to the distal portion and the surface of a target tissue defining an angle therebetween;
• and
• an ablation device operably disposed at the distal end of the elongated tubular member and including at least one ablation element adapted to emit ablative energy therefrom,
• wherein operation of the deflection means results in the creation of a uniform energy pattern about the distal portion of the tubular member, whereby ablation of a portion of the target tissue occurs independent of the angle.

A flexible ablation system, comprising:

• a tubular member having proximal and distal portions and a longitudinal axis which, at a point just proximal to the distal portion, defines an azimuth angle with respect to the target tissue;
• and
• at least one ablation element operably disposed at the distal portion of the tubular member, the at least one ablation element adapted to emit ablative energy;
• and
• a means for shaping the distal portion of the tubular member,
• wherein a desired energy pattern is emitted from the shaped distal portion, the energy pattern engaging a target tissue independent of the azimuth angle.

An ablation system for ablating biological tissue, comprising:

• a tubular member having a distal portion and a longitudinal axis;
• at least one ablation element operably disposed at the distal portion of the tubular member and adapted to emit ablative energy in a substantially lateral direction along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member;
• and
• a means for deflecting at least the distal portion of the tubular member,
• wherein upon deflection of at least a portion of the distal portion of the tubular member, a relatively uniform energy distribution is formed about the deflected portion.