Abstract: A thin wall catheter introducer system for penetrating through intravascular tissue walls and for facilitating the introduction of a catheter through the tissue wall is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a sheath having a thin wall tubular member and a wire braid positioned about the tubular member for reinforcing the tubular member. The wire braid may include at least two intertwined wires wound about the tubular member. In another embodiment, the system includes a dilator for penetrating through an incision in an intravascular wall of a patient. The dilator may include a first tubular member and a reinforcing member which is positionable about the first tubular member to substantially inhibit buckling or kinking of the first tubular member. In yet another embodiment, the system includes a vascular access system for use in dilating and penetrating through an incision in an intravascular tissue wall and for facilitating introduction of a catheter into the incision.