| CPC A61B 17/3209 (2013.01) [A61B 17/320036 (2013.01); A61B 50/20 (2016.02); A61B 50/33 (2016.02); A61M 25/10182 (2013.11); A61B 2017/00557 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320052 (2013.01); A61B 2050/005 (2016.02); A61B 2050/006 (2016.02); A61B 2050/3008 (2016.02); A61B 2090/062 (2016.02)] | 10 Claims |

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1. A method for cutting a transverse carpal ligament in a patient, the method comprising:
advancing a distal end of a shaft of a soft tissue cutting device into a carpal tunnel in the patient;
depressing a balloon activation lever on a handle of the soft tissue cutting device, to activate a bellows in the handle and thus inflate two balloons on either side of the shaft, wherein the shaft extends from the handle;
activating a locking mechanism on the balloon activation lever to lock the two balloons in an inflated state;
deploying a blade out of the shaft, between the two balloons, to cut the transverse carpal ligament;
moving the blade back inside the shaft;
unlocking the locking mechanism;
deflating the two balloons; and
removing the shaft of the soft tissue cutting device from the patient.
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