Abstract: Systems and associated methods for ablating body tissue employ an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface. The electrode is adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface. The systems and methods also include an element to cool the electrode. The systems and methods hold a tissue temperature sensing element in a carrier in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface. The systems and methods include a controller that is coupled to the tissue temperature sensing element to control either the supply of ablation energy, or the rate at which the electrode is cooled, or both based, at least in part, upon temperature sensed by the temperature sensing element.