Method and apparatuses for accessing and/or modifying a target patient tissue site

A method for inserting multiple dilators into a target patient tissue site, the method comprising:

• providing a modular dilation device including a first dilator, the first dilator having an elongate first dilator body and a first dilator distal end, the first dilator having a first dilator outer surface and a first dilator inner lumen, the first dilator distal end having a first dilator open tip, the first dilator having a first dilator side wall opening, the first dilator side wall opening selectively placing the first dilator outer surface in fluid communication with the first dilator inner lumen, and
• a second dilator, the second dilator having an elongate second dilator body and a second dilator distal end, the second dilator having a second dilator inner lumen, the second dilator distal end having a second dilator open tip;
• inserting a guidewire distal end of a guidewire into a target patient tissue site through a patient tissue access point;
• directing a guidewire proximal end into the first dilator open tip, through at least a portion of the first dilator inner lumen, and out of the first dilator through the first dilator side wall opening;
• directing the first dilator to the target patient tissue site along the guidewire;
• directing the guidewire proximal end into the second dilator open tip, through at least a portion of the second dilator inner lumen, and out from the second dilator;
• and directing the second dilator to the target patient tissue site along the guidewire until the second dilator open tip is adjacent to the first dilator side wall opening.