A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a safety needle, a stylet assembly, a blade assembly, an obturator assembly, a cannula assembly, a handle assembly, an actuator assembly, and a lock assembly. The safety needle accesses an interior body region. The actuator assembly, lock assembly, and handle assembly interact to expose the blade assembly, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the cannula assembly to the desired location. The safety needle, obturator assembly, blade assembly, handle assembly, actuator assembly, and lock assembly are removed, leaving the cannula assembly in place for future procedures.