Patent ID: 8092456

Claim:
A method of accessing target tissue adjacent to a spinal nerve of a patient, comprising: accessing a spine location of the patient through the skin at an access location that is anterior to the posterior aspect of the ligamentum flavum and posterior to the dura mater of the spinal cord and cauda equina; inserting a first flexible tissue modification device through the access location to the spine location; advancing a distal portion of the first flexible tissue modification device from the spine location to a first exit location; passing through the first exit location and out of the patient; advancing the first or a second flexible tissue modification device through the same access location to the spine location and to a second exit location; passing through the second exit location and positioning the first or second flexible device at least partially around a target tissue; passing through the second exit location and out of the patient; moving the first or second flexible device against the target tissue by pulling the first or second flexible device from at least one of the distal or proximal end of the first or second flexible device; and modifying the target tissue with the first or second flexible device.