Patent ID: 8398641

Claim:
A bimanually controlled tissue modification device for cutting tissue in a patient, the device comprising: a tissue modification region; at least two flexible elongate lengths of cable, wherein the lengths of cable extend substantially adjacent to each other proximally to distally; a plurality of rungs extending between the lengths of cable, wherein the rungs are proximal to the tissue modification region of the device; at least one region of each length of cable that is within the tissue modification region which is configured as a cutting member; a spacer extending between the cutting members and comprising a plurality of restraints at outer edges of the spacer and configured to releasably hold the cutting members apart from one another until the cutting members have cut into tissue to a depth that is greater than a thickness of the cutting member; and a guidewire coupler at the distal end region of the device configured to engage a tip of a guidewire.