| abstract |
There is disclosed herein a transluminal delivery system for a self-expanding luminal prosthesis, the system comprising an inner catheter component ( 30 ) and a retractable sheath ( 12 ) to surround the component thereby to define an annular space to receive the prosthesis ( 10 ), the component exhibiting an anti-sliding component, for abutting a luminal surface portion of the prosthesis ( 10 ) to restrain the prosthesis from sliding with the sheath ( 12 ), and relative to the inner catheter ( 30 ), while the sheath retracts relative to the prosthesis to release the prosthesis progressively into the target bodily lumen characterised in that the anti-sliding component is or includes at least one sleeve ( 36, 50, 66, 76 ) having a length direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the annular space and having at least one bound portion ( 33, 52, 64, 65, 74 ) of its length that is not free to slide on the inner catheter, and at least one unbound portion of its length with a capability to slide axially on the inner catheter ( 30 ) and thereby to exhibit a radial swelling capability, to deliver an increase in the radial thickness of the sleeve ( 36, 50, 66, 76 ) while the sheath retracts. Associated methods are also disclosed. |