Patent ID: 7981132

Claim:
An apparatus for enlarging an anatomical space, the apparatus comprising: a dilation member having a radially expandable portion at least partially fabricated from a series of filaments, the dilation member defining a lumen and having at least a first cross-sectional area; and an expansion member operatively associated with the dilation member for effectuating expansion of the radially expandable portion from the first cross-sectional area to at least one additional cross-sectional area which is greater than the first cross-sectional area, the expansion member including: a handle assembly; and a tubular element extending distally from the handle assembly, the tubular element including a proximal end, a distal end, and an anchoring portion positioned adjacent the distal end, the handle assembly being repositionable to selectively reconfigure the anchoring portion from a first relatively smaller diameter to a second relatively larger diameter to anchor the expansion member within the anatomical space.