Systems and methods for stent placement

A system for positioning a stent along a tissue pathway, the system comprising:

• a handle;
• an inner shaft having a lumen, a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end coupled to a tip member;
• an outer shaft having a proximal end region and a lumen, wherein at least a portion of the inner shaft extends within the lumen of the outer shaft;
• a grip member coupled to the proximal end region of the outer shaft;
• a stent positioned between an inner surface of the outer shaft and an outer surface of the inner shaft;
• and
• a plurality of engagement members coupled to the tip member;
• wherein the plurality of engagement members are configured to engage and anchor the tip member to a tissue of the tissue pathway before the stent engages the tissue pathway.

A method for positioning a drainage stent between a biliary duct and the stomach, the method comprising:

• positioning a distal end region of a stent delivery system within the biliary duct and a proximal end region of the stent delivery system within the stomach, the stent delivery system including:
• a handle;
• an inner shaft having a lumen, a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end coupled to a tip member;
• an outer shaft having a proximal end region and a lumen, wherein at least a portion of the inner shaft extends within the lumen of the outer shaft;
• a stent positioned between an inner surface of the outer shaft and an outer surface of the inner shaft;
• and
• a plurality of engagement members coupled to the tip member;
• retracting the outer shaft in a proximal direction;
• engaging the plurality of engagement members to a tissue of the biliary duct;
• engaging a distal end of the stent to a tissue of the biliary duct;
• engaging a proximal end of the stent to a tissue of the stomach;
• advancing the outer shaft in a distal direction;
• and
• disengaging the plurality of engagement members to a tissue of the biliary duct.