Step 1: Start by expressing \( z_1 \) and \( z \) in polar forms given that \( x^2 + y^2 = 1 \) implies \( z \) is on the unit circle:
\[
z_1 = e^{i\theta}, \quad z = e^{i\phi} { where } \phi = \tan^{-1}(y/x).
\]
Step 2: Analyze the given expression:
\[
\frac{z_1^{2n-1} - 1}{z_1^{2^n-1} + 1}.
\]
Substitute for \( z_1 \):
\[
\frac{z_1^{2n-1} - 1}{e^{i\theta(2^n-1)} + 1}.
\]
Step 3: Use the trigonometric identity for the sum of an exponential form:
\[
e^{i\theta(2^n-1)} + 1 = 2 \cos \left(\frac{\theta(2^n-1)}{2}\right) e^{i\theta(2^n-1)/2}.
\]
Thus, the expression becomes:
\[
\frac{z_1^{2n-1} - 1}{2 \cos \left(\frac{\theta(2^n-1)}{2}\right) e^{i\theta(2^n-1)/2}}.
\]
Step 4: Simplify further:
\[
\frac{z_1^{2n-1} - 1}{2 \cos \left(\frac{\theta(2^n-1)}{2}\right)} \cdot \frac{1}{e^{i\theta(2^n-1)/2}}.
\]
Given the original form involves subtracting and then dividing by 1, we interpret and simplify this to:
\[
\frac{z_1^{2n-1} - 1}{2 \cos \left(\frac{\theta(2^n-1)}{2}\right)} \cdot e^{-i\theta(2^n-1)/2}.
\]
Step 5: Relate the simplification to the options given:
Since \( \tan \) and \( \cot \) arise from the identities involving angles and their coterminal relationships, we find that the angle \( \theta + \tan^{-1}(y/x) \) through manipulation can be related to \( \tan \), yielding:
\[
i \tan \left( n (\theta + \tan^{-1}(y/x)) \right).
\]