An expandable sheath comprising: an elastic outer tubular layer ; and an inner tubular layer having a thick wall portion integrally connected to a thin wall portion , the thick wall portion having a first and second longitudinally extending end , the thin wall portion extending between the first and second longitudinally extending ends , the thin wall portion comprising at least one longitudinal rod extending along at least a portion of the length of the thin wall portion , wherein the elastic outer tubular layer and the inner tubular layer are radially movable between an expanded state and a non-expanded state, wherein in the non-expanded state the first longitudinally extending end is located under the second longitudinally extending end of the inner tubular layer to cause the thin wall portion to fold and to be positioned between the first and second longitudinally extending ends of the thick wall portion , wherein in the expanded state the first and second longitudinally extending ends of the inner tubular layer are expanded apart with the thin wall portion extending therebetween, wherein the outer elastic tubular layer urges the inner tubular layer towards the non-expanded state, and wherein the outer tubular layer includes a plurality of longitudinal rods , a portion of each of the plurality of longitudinal rods extending into a central lumen defined by the outer tubular layer such that the plurality of longitudinal rods provide a bearing surface to facilitate relative movement of the inner tubular layer within the outer tubular layer when moving between the expanded and non-expanded state and the longitudinal rods are circumferentially spaced about the inside surface of the outer tubular layer with the exception of a portion of the outer tubular layer without longitudinal rods , the portion being located adjacent or opposite the thin wall portion of the inner tubular layer . an elastic outer tubular layer ; and an inner tubular layer having a thick wall portion integrally connected to a thin wall portion , the thick wall portion having a first and second longitudinally extending end , the thin wall portion extending between the first and second longitudinally extending ends , the thin wall portion comprising at least one longitudinal rod extending along at least a portion of the length of the thin wall portion , wherein the elastic outer tubular layer and the inner tubular layer are radially movable between an expanded state and a non-expanded state, wherein in the non-expanded state the first longitudinally extending end is located under the second longitudinally extending end of the inner tubular layer to cause the thin wall portion to fold and to be positioned between the first and second longitudinally extending ends of the thick wall portion , wherein in the expanded state the first and second longitudinally extending ends of the inner tubular layer are expanded apart with the thin wall portion extending therebetween, wherein the outer elastic tubular layer urges the inner tubular layer towards the non-expanded state, and wherein the outer tubular layer includes a plurality of longitudinal rods , a portion of each of the plurality of longitudinal rods extending into a central lumen defined by the outer tubular layer such that the plurality of longitudinal rods provide a bearing surface to facilitate relative movement of the inner tubular layer within the outer tubular layer when moving between the expanded and non-expanded state and the longitudinal rods are circumferentially spaced about the inside surface of the outer tubular layer with the exception of a portion of the outer tubular layer without longitudinal rods , the portion being located adjacent or opposite the thin wall portion of the inner tubular layer . <EOS>