| abstract |
An implant delivery system includes outer and inner elongated, flexible tubular members each having a distal and proximal end. The outer tubular member is sized to be passed through the body lumen with the distal end advanced to the deployment site and with the proximal end remaining external of the patient's body for manipulation by an operator. The inner tubular member is sized to be received within the outer tubular member. The outer tubular and inner tubular members are axially slidable relative to one another between a transport position and the deploy position. The inner tubular member has an implant attachment location at its distal end. The implant attachment location is covered by the outer tubular member when the inner and outer tubular members are in the transport position. The implant attachment location is exposed when the inner and outer tubular members are in the deploy position. Sliding relative motion between the inner and outer members exposes first a distal end of the implant attachment location and last a proximal end of the stent attachment location. An implant is carried at the implant attachment location. A proximal end of the implant is interlocked with the inner member to be restricted from axial movement relative thereto until the distal end of said outer tubular member moves proximally to the proximal end of the implant attachment location. |