STENT DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH STORAGE SLEEVE

摘要

A delivery system (10) for implantation of a medical device in a body lumen consists of an elongate flexible catheter (12) for delivering the medical device (16) to a predetermined location in a lumen. The medical device surrounds the flexible catheter near its distal end and is held in a delivery configuration where the medical device has a reduced radius along its axial length by a storage sleeve (18). The storage sleeve surrounds the medical device. Where the catheter has an outer sleeve (14) the storage sleeve not only provides a means for retaining the medical device in its delivery configuration, but also protects the outer sleeve from creep during storage and/or elevated temperature conditions. The storage sleeve is removed from the system prior to use.