A catheter introduction apparatus provides an optical assembly for emission of
laser light energy. In one application, the catheter and the optical assembly are
introduced percutaneously, and transseptally advanced to the ostium of a pulmonary
vein. An anchoring balloon is expanded to position a mirror near the ostium of
the pulmonary vein, such that light energy is reflected and directed circumferentially
around the ostium of the pulmonary vein when a laser light source is energized.
A circumferential ablation lesion is thereby produced, which effectively blocks
electrical propagation between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium.