Method of texturing an inner surface of a self-expanding implant delivery system outer sheath

A method of forming a textured surface on at least a portion of an inner surface of an outer sheath of a self-expanding implant delivery system, wherein the outer sheath restrains the self-expanding implant in a compressed state prior to being released at a treatment site and said textured surface contacts an outer surface of said self-expanding implant in said compressed state, said method comprising:

• providing a mandrel with a textured pattern disposed on an outer surface of said mandrel;
• disposing a sleeve onto said mandrel, said sleeve comprising said inner surface of said outer sheath;
• squeezing said sleeve against said mandrel and said textured pattern, said textured surface thereby being formed on said inner surface of said sleeve, wherein said outer surface of said mandrel contacts at least 70% of said inner surface of said sleeve along a length of at least half an overall length of said self-expanding implant;
• contracting a diameter of said outer surface of said mandrel;
• withdrawing said mandrel from said sleeve;
• and
• loading said self-expanding implant into said sleeve in said compressed state, said textured surface contacting said outer surface of said self-expanding implant in said compressed state.