Patent ID: 7736347

Claim:
A system for accessing an anatomic space having a wall, said system comprising: an access tube having a distal end which can be selectively engaged at an outer side of the wall; a penetrating structure disposed proximate the distal end of the access tube, the penetrating structure being adapted for penetrating the outer side of the wall and through an inner side of the wall, the penetrating structure being configured to engage the inner side of the wall, such that when the penetrating structure engages the inner side of the wall and the distal end of the access tube is moved, the system is configured to cause corresponding enlargement of the anatomic space; and an access device having a lumen therethrough, said access device being configured to pass through the access tube and penetrate into the anatomic space when the access tube is engaged with the outer side of the wall of the anatomic space and when the penetrating structure is engaged with the inner side of the wall of the anatomic space.