Expansion-assisting delivery system for self-expanding stent

A delivery system for a self-expanding stent, the delivery system comprising:

• an inner member having a distal end, the inner member being configured to retain a self-expanding stent proximate the distal end, the inner member including a marker band disposed between a distalmost leading end of the self-expanding stent and a trailing end of the self-expanding stent, wherein the marker band indicates a re-constrain limit of a partially-expanded, self-expanding stent;
• an outer member positioned about the inner member, the outer member being slidable relative to the inner member in an axial direction;
• a holding sleeve positioned within an interior of the stent so as to retain the positioning of the stent;
• and
• a single inflatable device positioned about the inner member, wherein the inflatable device is disposed solely between the holding sleeve and the distal end of the inner member.

A method for implantation of a self-expanding stent, the method comprising:

• providing a delivery system comprising:
• a self-expanding stent;
• an inner member having a distal end, the inner member being configured to retain a self-expanding stent proximate the distal end, the inner member including a marker band disposed between a distalmost leading end of the self-expanding stent and a trailing end of the self-expanding stent, wherein the marker band indicates a re-constrain limit of a partially-expanded, self-expanding stent;
• an outer member positioned about the inner member, the outer member being slidable relative to the inner member in an axial direction;
• a holding sleeve positioned within an interior of the stent so as to retain the positioning of the stent;
• and
• a single inflatable device positioned about the inner member, wherein the inflatable device is disposed solely between the holding sleeve and the distal end of the inner member;
• delivering the delivery system to a region of a vessel to be repaired;
• implanting the self-expanding stent into a wall of the vessel to be repaired;
• and
• inflating the inflatable device to assist expansion of the self-expanding stent.