Delivery systems with introducer and distal sheaths and methods of use

A method for delivering a stent graft to an implantation site, comprising the steps of:

• a) directing a distal end of a delivery assembly to an implantation site in an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or a thoraco-abdominal aneurysm or a thoracic aortic aneurysm, the delivery assembly including,
• i) a handle defining a conduit,
• ii) an introducer sheath extending distally from the handle, the introducer sheath having a proximal end at the handle, and a distal end that is distal to the handle,
• iii) a substantially straight inner control tube extending through the conduit of the handle and from the distal end of the introducer sheath, the inner control tube having a proximal end that is proximal to the handle and a distal end that is distal to the distal end of the introducer sheath,
• iv) a tip fixed to the distal end of the inner control tube,
• v) a distal sheath that extends through the handle and the introducer sheath, and distally from the distal end of the introducer sheath and about the inner control tube to the tip, wherein the distal sheath has a diameter about equal to or less than that of the introducer sheath, whereby retraction of the distal sheath through the introducer sheath and the handle exposes the inner control tube, and
• vi) a stent graft that includes a luminal wall, a proximal and a distal end, and a plurality of radial self-expanding stents distributed longitudinally along the luminal wall, the stent graft extending about the inner control tube and within the distal sheath, wherein the proximal end of the stent graft is proximate to the distal end of the inner control tube;
• and
• b) retracting the distal sheath from the stent graft, thereby delivering the stent graft to the implantation site in the aorta.