Pistol stent delivery device and method of operating same

A method of operating a stent delivery device that includes a pistol shaped handle with a barrel portion extending atop a grip portion;

• a trigger actuator pivotably mounted to the pistol shaped handle and defining an angle with respect to the grip portion;
• a carrier slidably mounted to the barrel portion of the pistol shaped handle;
• an analog mechanical linkage, which includes a roller clutch, interconnecting the trigger actuator to the carrier;
• wherein the angle is reduced responsive to pivoting the trigger actuator in an actuation direction toward the grip portion, and the angle is increased responsive to pivoting the trigger actuator in a reset direction;
• wherein the roller clutch is oriented in the mechanical linkage to rotate responsive to the trigger pivoting in the reset direction, but the roller clutch holding against rotation responsive to pivoting the trigger in the actuation direction, and the method comprising the steps of:
• pivoting the trigger actuator of the pistol shaped handle toward the grip portion in the actuation direction;
• moving the analog mechanical linkage that interconnects the trigger actuator to the carrier responsive to pivoting the trigger actuator, and wherein the analog mechanical linkage includes the roller clutch;
• sliding the carrier along the barrel portion of the pistol shaped handle responsive to movement of the analog mechanical linkage;
• stopping the carrier anywhere within a continuum of distances responsive to stopping the trigger actuator;
• pivoting the trigger actuator in a reset direction, which is opposite to the actuation direction;
• and
• holding the roller clutch against rotation when the trigger actuator is pivoted in the actuation direction, and rotating the roller clutch when the trigger actuator is pivoted in the reset direction.