Systems and methods for percutaneous division of fibrous structures

1. A device for dividing a fibrous structure, the device comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and lumen extending therebetween;

an expandable member positioned near the distal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter so that the expandable member can be biased between an inflated state and a deflated state, the expandable member having a cross-sectional shape that expands radially in a first direction more than it expands in a second direction to provide the expandable member with an elongated cross-sectional shape when inflated; and

a cutting element situated on an outer surface of the expandable member at a location that expands in the second direction, such that, as the expandable member expands in the first direction and pushes the fibrous structure in opposing lateral directions, the fibrous structure is pulled taut against the cutting element to allow tensioning of the fibrous structure against a discrete portion of the cutting element, wherein the cutting element is a blade configured to apply a mechanical force to weaken or cut the fibrous structure.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is a balloon made of a thin layer or flexible polymer material.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the expandable member has an elongated cross-sectional shape.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the expandable member has an elongated longitudinal profile.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is configured to contact the fibrous structure and expand outwards to tension the fibrous structure across the cutting element.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 , where in the cutting element is situated along a longitudinal dimension of the expandable member.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the expandable member expands radially so as to tension the fibrous structure in a direction substantially transverse to the cutting element.

8. A device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a layer of insulating material is situated between the cutting element and the expandable member.

9. A device as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the cutting element includes a unipolar lead or bipolar leads, the bipolar leads comprising an active lead independent from a passive return lead.

10. A device as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the cutting element is an electrocautery lead.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the electrocautery lead is configured with a substantially triangular shape so as to provide for contacting the fibrous structure with a leading edge of the triangular-shaped electrocautery lead to provide a highly-concentrated energy density along the leading edge.

12. A device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following elements, positioned on the outer surface of the expandable member:

a sensing element configured to detect neuroelectrical activity in a nearby nerve,

a stimulating element configured to stimulate neuroelectrical activity in a nearby nerve, and

an element configured for both detecting and stimulating neuroelectrical activity in a nearby nerve.

13. A device as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the electrocautery lead is encapsulated in an insulating material to provide a highly-concentrated energy density along a leading edge of the electrocautery lead.

14. A device as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the at least one element facilitates at least one of positioning and orienting the device along the fibrous structure relative to the nearby nerve.

15. A device as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the at least one element includes a sensing element configured to detect neuroelectrical activity in a nearby nerve.

16. A device as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the at least one element includes a stimulating element configured to stimulate neuroelectrical activity in the nearby nerve.

17. A device as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the stimulated neuroelectrical activity causes a patient to feel the stimulation and/or exhibit a corresponding motor reaction.

18. A device as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the at least one element includes a sensing element and a separate stimulating element.

19. A device as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the at least one element is positioned proximate the cutting element.

20. A device as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the at least one element is positioned on an opposing side of the expandable member from the cutting element.

21. A device as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising one or more lighting elements situated along a length of the expandable member proximate the cutting element.

22. A device as set forth in claim 21 , wherein the one or more lighting elements comprises a row of lighting elements that are longer than a length of the fibrous wall.

23. A device as set forth in claim 21 , wherein the one or more lighting elements comprises a plurality of lighting elements such that a complete division of the fibrous wall is indicated if all of the plurality lighting elements shine through.

24. A device as set forth in claim 21 , wherein a brightness and a wavelength of light emitted by the one or more lighting elements are configured such that the light is visible through subcutaneous tissues and skin, and not visible or visible at a lower brightness through the fibrous wall.

25. A device for dividing a fibrous structure, the device comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and lumen extending therebetween;

an expandable member positioned near the distal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter so that the expandable member can be biased between an inflated state and a deflated state, the expandable member having a cross-sectional shape that expands radially in a first direction more than it expands in a second direction to provide the expandable member with an elongated cross-sectional shape when inflated;

a cutting element situated on an outer surface of the expandable member at a location that expands in the second direction, such that, as the expandable member expands in the first direction and pushed the fibrous structure in opposing lateral directions, the fibrous structure is pulled taut against the cutting element to allow tensioning of the fibrous structure against a discrete portion of the cutting element to weaken or cut the fibrous structure, wherein the cutting element is a blade configured to apply a mechanical force to weaken or cut the fibrous tissue; and

one or more lighting elements situated along a length of the expandable member proximate the cutting element, wherein a brightness and a wavelength of light emitted by the one or more lighting elements are configured such that the light is visible through subcutaneous tissues and skin, and not visible or visible at a lower brightness through the fibrous wall.

26. A device for dividing a fibrous structure, the device comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and lumen extending therebetween;

an expandable member positioned near the distal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter so that the expandable member can be biased between an inflated state and a deflated state, the expandable member having a cross-sectional shape that expands radially in a first direction more than it expands in a second direction to provide the expandable member with an elongated cross-sectional shape when inflated;

a cutting element situated on an outer surface of the expandable member at a location that expands in the second direction, such that, as the expandable member expands in the first direction and pushes the fibrous structure in opposing lateral directions, the fibrous structure is pulled taut against the cutting element to allow tensioning of the fibrous structure against a discrete portion of the cutting element,

wherein the cutting element is an electrocautery lead with a sharp edge shaped for contacting the fibrous structure with a leading edge of the cutting element to provide a highly-concentrated energy density along the leading edge, the electrocautery lead configured to emit electrical or thermal energy to weaken or cut the fibrous tissue.

27. A device for dividing a fibrous structure, the device comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and lumen extending therebetween;

an expandable member positioned near the distal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter so that the expandable member can be biased between an inflated state and a deflated state, the expandable member having a cross-sectional shape that expands radially in a first direction more than it expands in a second direction to provide the expandable member with an elongated cross-sectional shape when inflated;

a cutting element situated on an outer surface of the expandable member at a location that expands in the second direction, such that, as the expandable member expands in the first direction and pushes the fibrous structure in opposing lateral directions, the fibrous structure is pulled taut against the cutting element to allow tensioning of the fibrous structure against a discrete portion of the cutting element to weaken or cut the fibrous structure, wherein the cutting element is an electrocautery lead with a sharp edge shaped for contacting the fibrous structure with a leading edge of the cutting element to provide a highly-concentrated energy density along the leading edge, the electrocautery lead configured to emit electrical or thermal energy to weaken or cut the fibrous tissue; and

one or more lighting elements situated along a length of the expandable member proximate the cutting element, wherein a brightness and a wavelength of light emitted by the one or more lighting elements are configured such that the light is visible through subcutaneous tissues and skin, and not visible or visible at a lower brightness through the fibrous wall.