Medical device delivery catheter

Apparatus for delivering a medical device to a location in a patient's body, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongate catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• a pod coupled with the distal end of the catheter body and adapted to house the medical device during delivery to the location and to open to release the medical device,
• wherein the pod is adapted to automatically open after being positioned in the location.

A system for delivering a medical device to a location in a patient's body, the system comprising:

• an elongate catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a pod coupled with the distal end of the catheter body and adapted to house the medical device during delivery to the location and to open to release the medical device;
• at least one distal actuator coupled with at least one of the pod and the medical device, the distal actuator adapted to promote opening of the pod;
• and
• a medical device releasably housed within the pod.

A method for delivering a medical device to a location in a patient's body, the method comprising:

• advancing a pod at the distal end of an elongate catheter to the location within the body;
• and
• activating an actuator coupled with at least one of the pod and the medical device to cause the pod to open,
• wherein opening the pod releases the medical device.