Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for inserting a self expanding stent into a delivery device and delivering the stent into a body lumen. The apparatus comprises an outer tube; an inner tube; a capturing element slidably mounted on the inner tube and including a foldable sleeve, a blocking element fixed to the inner tube adapted to block a stent from being inserted into the sleeve proximally of the blocking element and to block the capturing element from becoming situated distally of a predetermined point relative to said inner tube, the capturing element carried on the inner tube so that the distal end of the sleeve can extend beyond the distal end of the outer tube in an unfolded condition and be drawn into the outer tube by the blocking element. A stent having an end inserted into the sleeve is drawn into the outer tube, thereby becoming captured within the outer tube. The stent is deployed by inserting the delivery apparatus into a body lumen to position the distal end of the tube adjacent the stent deployment site and drawing the outer tube proximally relative to the stent, so as to release the stent from its radially constricted condition.

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First Claim