Methods and apparatus for luminal stenting

A method of operating a stent delivery system, the method comprising:

• advancing a distal end of a catheter in a blood vessel;
• placing the delivery system within a lumen of the catheter, the delivery system comprising (i) a core member, (ii) a stent extending along the core member, and (iii) an engagement member radially interposed between the core member and the stent;
• expanding the engagement member to press the stent against an inner wall of the catheter;
• and
• moving the core member within the catheter lumen, thereby moving the stent relative to the catheter.

A stent delivery system, comprising:

• a catheter having a lumen defined by a catheter inner wall;
• a core member extending within the catheter and having a distal segment;
• a balloon attached to the distal segment;
• a self-expanding stent positioned within the catheter and extending over the balloon, the stent having an axial length that is greater than an axial length of the balloon;
• wherein the balloon is configured to have a first expanded state, in which the balloon presses the stent against the catheter inner wall for frictionally engaging the stent with the balloon to move the stent within the catheter lumen as the core member moves relative to the catheter.