Medical access sheaths

A method of delivering a medical device, the method comprising:

• providing a tapered access sheath comprising an access sheath shaft having a tapered distal end portion, and the access sheath shaft further comprising:
• a first delivery lumen extending from a proximal end to a side opening of the access sheath shaft;
• and
• a recess extending through the tapered distal end portion and in fluid communication with the first delivery lumen, the recess having a width smaller than a diameter of the first delivery lumen;
• providing a medical device comprising at least a portion disposed within the first delivery lumen;
• providing a guidewire comprising corresponding portions disposed within a guidewire lumen of the medical device, the first delivery lumen and the recess of the access sheath shaft, and a bodily lumen;
• advancing at least a portion of the access sheath shaft comprising the at least a portion of the medical device disposed therein along the guidewire into a bodily lumen;
• and
• advancing the medical device distally relative to the access sheath shaft along the guidewire to position a distal portion of the medical device out of the first delivery lumen through the side opening and externally of the access sheath shaft, and to lift a corresponding portion of the guidewire out of the recess.

A method of delivering a medical device, the method comprising:

• providing a tapered access sheath comprising an access sheath shaft having a first delivery lumen extending through the access sheath shaft to a side opening on a distal portion of the access sheath shaft, and a recess extending from the first delivery lumen to a distal end of the access sheath shaft;
• providing a medical device comprising a guidewire lumen extending therethrough, the medical device comprising a distal portion disposed within the first delivery lumen;
• providing a guidewire comprising corresponding portions disposed within the guidewire lumen of the medical device, and the first delivery lumen and the recess of the access sheath shaft;
• and
• advancing the medical device along the guidewire to deploy the distal portion of the medical device through the side opening.