Endoprosthesis stent/graft deployment system

A method of endoprosthetic deployment comprising:

• a. providing a deployment system comprising a flexible elongated tubular delivery catheter, said catheter having an inner lumen extending therethrough and an opening through said catheter in communication with said inner lumen;
• an elongated implantable radially expandable endoprosthesis positioned over said catheter, said endoprosthesis having a proximal end extent and an opposed distal end extent;
• a removable endoprosthesis support assembly for maintaining said endoprosthesis in a compressed state, said support assembly being located adjacent said catheter opening and said support assembly including an arm extending through said catheter opening into said inner lumen;
• and a release mechanism insertable through said inner lumen of said catheter, said release mechanism including a distal tip engageable with said arm of said support assembly, said release mechanism being manipulatable within said inner lumen so as to remove said support assembly from said endoprosthesis, permitting subsequent radial expansion of said endoprosthesis;
• b. inserting said deployment system intraluminally;
• c. positioning said deployment system at an area of implantation;
• d. engaging said release mechanism with said arm of said support member;
• e. manipulating said release mechanism within said inner lumen, thereby removing said support member from said endoprosthesis and permitting radial expansion thereof;
• and
• f. removing said deployment system from said area of implantation.

A stent-prosthesis deployment system comprising:

• a flexible elongated tubular delivery catheter having a proximal portion, a distal portion, an inner lumen, and an opening through said catheter in communication with said inner lumen;
• an implantable prosthesis positioned over said catheter;
• a radially expandable stent supporting said prosthesis, said stent having a proximal end extent and an opposed distal end extent;
• a removable endoprosthesis support assembly for maintaining said stent in a compressed state, said support assembly being located adjacent said catheter opening, said support assembly further including an arm extending through said catheter opening into said inner lumen;
• and
• a release mechanism insertable through said inner lumen of said catheter, said release mechanism including a distal tip engageable with said arm of said support assembly, said release mechanism being manipulatable within said inner lumen so as to remove said support assembly from said stent, permitting subsequent radial expansion of said stent.