Disclosed is a method of navigating a spinal subarchnoid space in a living
being, that includes percutaneously introducing a device into the spinal
subarachnoid space at an entry location. The device has a first
passageway that is sized to slidably receive, and work with, at least a
guidewire. The device can be a catheter or a sheath. The method can also
include advancing the device within the spinal subarachnoid space at
least more than 10 centimeters from the entry location. Alternatively,
the method can include advancing the device within the spinal
subarachnoid space to facilitate intracranial access with a second device
introduced through the first passageway. Also disclosed is a device
suited for attachment to a patient's skin, such as a sheath, that
includes an elongated member, a skin-attachment apparatus having a
flexible skin-attachment flap, and a valve apparatus. The skin-attachment
apparatus and the valve apparatus may be coupled to the elongated member
in spaced relation to each other.