Rapid exchange stent delivery system and associated components

A rapid exchange stent delivery catheter for delivering a self-expandable stent over a guide wire to a bodily lumen, the catheter comprising:

• an inner tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a stent holding portion located adjacent the distal end of the inner member, and a guide wire lumen extending from a proximal guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal end of the inner member to a distal guide wire opening disposed at the distal end of the inner member, wherein the proximal guide wire opening has a length;
• an outer tubular member slidably disposed about the inner member, the outer member having a proximal end, a main portion, a distal end, and a guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal end of the outer member, wherein the guide wire opening of the outer member has a length that is shorter than the length of the proximal guide wire opening of the inner member.