Custom-length self-expanding stent delivery systems with stent bumpers

A method of delivering a stent to a body lumen comprising:

• positioning a stent delivery catheter in the body lumen, the delivery catheter carrying at least first and second stent segments;
• expanding a stent bumper on the delivery catheter;
• releasing the first stent segment from the delivery catheter into the body lumen after the stent bumper has been fully expanded, the first stent segment resiliently self-expanding into an expanded configuration in the body lumen, wherein the stent bumper expands independently of the first stent segment and engages the first stent segment during expansion thereof to maintain its position relative to the delivery catheter;
• before releasing the second stent segment, contracting the stent bumper;
• positioning the contracted stent bumper within the expanded first stent segment;
• re-expanding the stent bumper, wherein the stent bumper engages the second stent segment during expansion thereof to maintain its position relative to the delivery catheter and the first segment;
• and
• releasing the second stent segment from the delivery catheter into the body lumen adjacent to the first stent segment,
• wherein the stent bumper maintains the position of each stent segment during deployment such that adjacent stent segments do not overlap and a spacing between adjacent stent segments is no more than about 1 mm after deployment.