Stent deployment catheter with retractable sheath

摘要

The present invention provides an improved stent delivery catheter. The stent delivery systems comprises a catheter having a stent receiving portion adapted to receive a stent near the distal end of the catheter and a stent concentrically arranged around the catheter within the stent receiving portion. The stent delivery system further comprises a proximal outer sheath, a retractable distal sheath surrounding at least a portion of the stent and containing the stent in its reduced delivery configuration and a pull back means connected to the retractable distal sheath. The system further comprises an arrangement wherein the retractable sheath is pulled into the catheter when the pull back means is pulled proximally and the distal sheath is retracted, freeing the stent for delivery.