METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERCUTANEOUS ACCESS

A percutaneous access system provides placement of an access catheter through a tissue access tract into a patient's vasculature. The system includes an access needle having a narrow width, a dilator or carrier dilator having a tapered distal end and an expanded-width proximal portion, and a radially expandable sheath having a lumen configured to receive the needle when said sheath in a radially constricted configuration. The sheath is radially expanded by advancement of the dilator or dilator carrier through the sheath lumen to allow advancement of the access catheter therethrough. In some examples, the dilator is removed prior to introducing the catheter into the expanded sheath. In other examples, the catheter is introduced in the carrier dilator that radially expands the sheath.