Patent ID: 7780692

Claim:
A method of providing percutaneous access, the method comprising: inserting a guidewire into a patient, percutaneously inserting an elongate tubular body having a first, smaller cross-sectional profile over the guidewire to a treatment site within the patient, wherein the treatment site is the patient's renal pelvis, the elongate tubular body comprising a distal region, the distal region comprising at least one longitudinal crease and a beveled distal face, the beveled distal face comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge, the at least one longitudinal crease positioned on the distal region generally opposite the side on which the leading edge is positioned wherein the at least one longitudinal crease comprises only two creased outer sections positioned on the perimeter of the distal region and only two creased inner sections positioned within the perimeter of the distal region, wherein the two creased outer sections generally face each other and the two creased inner sections generally face away from each other; expanding the elongate tubular body from the first, smaller cross-sectional profile to a second, greater cross-sectional profile by applying radial force by an expandable member positioned within the elongate tubular body; removing the expandable member from the elongate tubular body to open a working lumen within the elongate tubular body, the working lumen providing access to the treatment site from outside the patient; performing one or more therapeutic procedures at the treatment site through the working lumen; collapsing the elongate tubular body to a cross-sectional profile smaller than the second, greater cross-sectional profile; and removing the elongate tubular body from the patient.