Patent ID: 8092481

Claim:
A percutaneous access system for providing minimally invasive access, comprising: an access sheath comprising an elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axial lumen, at least a portion of the elongate tubular body being expandable from a first, smaller cross-sectional profile to a second, greater cross-sectional profile; a releasable jacket carried by the access sheath to restrain at least a portion of the elongate tubular member in the first, smaller cross-sectional profile; and an expandable member positioned within the elongate tubular body and configured to expand the elongate tubular body from the first, smaller cross-sectional profile to the second, greater cross-sectional profile, the expandable member having a distal end and a proximal end, the expandable member carrying at least one radiopaque member within the access sheath; wherein the access sheath includes at least one opening in the elongate tubular body, the at least one opening being positioned generally over the at least one radiopaque member.