Systems and methods for treatment of compressed nerves

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system for releasing a ligament. In one embodiment, the system includes a proximal handle, a tubular body, and a flexible body. The tubular body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The handle is coupled to the proximal end. The flexible body extends through the tubular body and includes a tissue cutting portion. The flexible body or tubular body is longitudinally displaceable to move the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for releasing a ligament, the system comprising:
 a proximal handle;   a tubular body comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the handle coupled to the proximal end; and   an inner body extending through the tubular body and comprising a tissue cutting portion,   wherein the tubular body is longitudinally displaceable relative to the inner body to transition the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue cutting portion includes a plurality of teeth or an abrasive surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first actuator near the proximal handle that causes the tubular body to be longitudinally displaced relative to the inner body to transition the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the inner body is longitudinally displaced relative to the tubular body. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a second actuator near the proximal handle that causes the inner body to be longitudinally displaced relative to the tubular body to transition the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body further comprises a window, wherein, when the tubular body is longitudinally displaced relative to the inner body to transition the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state, an arrangement between the window and cutting portion changes from the tubular body generally covering the cutting portion to the window generally exposing the cutting portion. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the cutting portion comprises a cutting tooth that protrudes through the window in the deployed state. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting portion of the inner body forms a bow-like arrangement with the tubular body when the cutting portion is in the deployed state. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible body further comprises a distal end comprising a tissue penetration tip that moves from a recessed state to a tissue penetration state when the tubular body is longitudinally displaced relative to the inner body. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:
 a nerve sensing system electrically coupled to the tubular body or inner body; or an ultrasound probe operably coupled to the tubular body.