Bipolar belt ablation systems and methods for treating patient tissue involve the use of an ablation an ablation apparatus with a plurality of ablation elements carried by a flexible tube structure, a radiofrequency generator capable of delivering a plurality of differing radiofrequency power signals to the ablation elements of the ablation device, wires transmitting the radiofrequency power signals from the radiofrequency generator to the ablation elements, and a control mechanism to enable temperature-based power control to each of the powered ablation elements.