Method and device for providing full protection to a stent

The sleeve of claim I wherein the transition between the extended state and the retracted state is achieved by exposing the tubular member to at least one transition condition.

The sleeve of claim I wherein the transition condition is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of:

• a predetermined temperature, predetermined pH, predetermined light energy, predetermined mechanical stimulation, predetermined electrical stimulation, and any combination thereof.

A catheter comprising:

• a catheter shaft, at least a portion of the catheter shaft defining a medical device receiving region;
• and
• at least one sleeve, the at least one sleeve comprising a tubular member constructed and arranged to transition between an extended state and a retracted state, the tubular member further having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft adjacent to the medical device receiving region, in the extended state the second portion at least partially overlays the medical device receiving region of the catheter shaft, in the retraced state the second portion is removed from about the medical device receiving region, at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member being at least partially constructed from a shape memory material.