Devices and Methods Useable for Treatment of Glaucoma and Other Surgical Prcedures

A method for cutting or ablating a strip of tissue from a tissue mass, said method comprising the steps of:

• A) providing a device which comprises;
• i. an elongate probe having a distal end;
• ii. a tissue cutting or ablating apparatus;
• and
• iii. a protector that extends from the probe, said protector having a first side and a second side, said protector being positionable such that tissue that is to be cut or ablated is adjacent to the first side of the protector and tissue that is to be protected is adjacent to the second side of the protector, said protector being at least partially formed of an insulating material;
• wherein the tissue cutting or ablating apparatus is useable to cut or ablate tissue located adjacent to the first side of the protector without causing substantial damage to tissue located adjacent to the second side of the protector
• B) positioning the device within or adjacent to the mass of tissue;
• and
• C) advancing the device such that some of the in a first direction while using the tissue cutting or ablating apparatus to cut or ablate tissue that becomes positioned adjacent to the first side of the protector.