The present disclosure relates to access systems (10) which may be percutaneously or otherwise introduced while in a narrow diameter configuration and, which after introduction, may be radially expanded to accommodate passage of larger diameter surgical instruments therethrough. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a radially expandable sleeve component (10), for use with an access system, is provided. The sleeve component includes a handle (14) having a passage (16) therethrough and a sleeve body (12) having a proximal end connected to the handle, a distal end, and an axial lumen (15) aligned with the passage of the handle, the sleeve body having a length. The sleeve body is constructed from a radially expandable braid, wherein the braid is formed of a mesh of non-elastic filaments which axially shortens the length of the sleeve body as the sleeve body is radially expanded. The distal end (12b) of the sleeve body is flared radially outward.
