Stent delivery system

An apparatus for delivery and deployment of an expandable stent within a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a catheter having a proximal end portion, a middle portion, a distal end portion and a catheter shaft;
• b) an expandable stent, expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, the stent being coaxially mounted about the catheter at the distal end portion of the catheter, and
• c) securement means coaxially mounted on the catheter at its distal end portion, distal the middle portion, and about the stent, said securement means comprising:
• I) a securement sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface, said securement sheath being mounted on the catheter shaft and being constructed and arranged for retraction along the catheter shaft, and
• ii) a distal cuff having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface, said distal cuff being mounted near the distal end of the catheter and being constructed and arranged to closely and releasably engage the securement sheath at the distal end of the securement sheath until retraction thereof and subsequent deployment of the stent.

An apparatus for delivery and deployment of an expandable stent within a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a catheter having a proximal end, a middle portion, a distal end and a catheter shaft;
• b) an expandable stent, expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, the stent being coaxially mounted on the catheter;
• c) securement means coaxially mounted on the catheter near its distal end, distal the middle portion, and over the stent, said securement means comprising:
• I) a securement sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface, said securement sheath being slidably mounted on the catheter shaft and being constructed and arranged for proximal retraction along the catheter shaft to expose the stent, the securement sheath having a plurality of flexibility enhancing elements;
• and
• ii) a distal cuff having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface, said distal cuff being mounted near the distal end of the stent and being constructed and arranged to engage the securement sheath at the distal end of the securement sheath until retraction thereof.

An apparatus for delivery and deployment of an expandable stent within a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a catheter having a proximal end, a middle portion, a distal end and a catheter shaft;
• b) an expandable stent, expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, the stent being coaxially mounted on the distal end of the catheter for expansion thereof,
• d) securement means coaxially mounted on the catheter near its distal end, distal the middle portion, and over the stent, said securement means comprising:
• I) a securement sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface, said securement sheath being slidably mounted on the catheter and being constructed and arranged for proximal retraction along the catheter to expose the stent, the securement sheath having a plurality of flexibility enhancing elements.