A medical probe comprises a probe shaft having proximal and distal shaft portions, and an operative element, such as a tissue removal element, associated with the distal shaft portion. The proximal and distal shaft portions can be positioned relative to each other in an axially aligned relationship and an axially non-aligned relationship at the interface between the shaft portions. For example, the ends of the shaft portions that engage each other can be beveled, in which case, relative rotation of the shaft portions will cause the angle between the portions to vary. Or, the shaft portions can hinge relative to each other to vary the angle between them. Thus, it can be appreciated that the probe can be introduced along a
straight path via a small opening within the patient, and then the probe shaft portions can be moved relative to each other to reach off-axis tissue. The probe may have a
drive shaft that extends within the probe shaft and on which the operative element is mounted. The
drive shaft may have proximal and distal rigid shaft portions and a linkage between the
drive shaft portions, so that the drive shaft can bend when the probe shaft portions are placed in their axially non-aligned relationship.