Patent ID: 7736375

Claim:
A device for incising tissue to a pre-selected incision depth within a body conduit of a patient, the device comprising: a catheter; an elongated balloon defining an axis, the balloon being mounted on the catheter for reconfiguration between an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration; and a substantially straight elongated blade having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a blade axis, with the proximal end thereof attached to the balloon to orient the blade in a plane with the axis of the balloon and to project a sharp edge at the distal end of the blade in a radial direction from the axis of the balloon when the balloon is inflated, the blade having a blunt section positioned proximal to the sharp edge to limit the incision of tissue by the sharp edge of the blade to the pre-selected incision depth during a proximal movement of the balloon in its inflated configuration.