A system for delivering a stent from a catheter sheath in a longitudinal direction comprising: a thumbwheel mounted on an axle, the axle being supported by opposite walls of a housing; a first pinion mounted on the axle; a second pinion mounted on the axle, wherein the first pinion is disposed on a first side of the thumbwheel and the second pinion is disposed on a second side of the thumbwheel, and whereby rotation of the thumbwheel causes rotation of the first pinion and rotation of the second pinion; a first rack, engageable with the first pinion at a first surface of the first pinion, the first rack being operably connected with a sheath configured to confine the stent; a second rack, engageable with the second pinion at a second surface of the second pinion, the second surface being disposed in a direction diametrically opposite the first surface, the second rack being operably connected with a stent engaging member; wherein the axle is mounted in an elongated slot in each of opposite walls of the housing, the slot having an elongate direction that extends between the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the first rack and the second rack are spaced apart to allow the first pinion to be engaged with the first rack while the second pinion is disengaged from the second rack, and separately, to allow the second pinion to be engaged with the second rack while the first pinion is disengaged from the first rack; a biasing element configured to bias the axle to a first end of the elongated slot, such that the second pinion is engaged with the second rack; and a lever attached to the housing and configured to be operable by a user to urge the axle, against the biasing element, to a second end of the elongated slot opposite the first end, such that the first pinion is engaged with the first rack. a thumbwheel mounted on an axle, the axle being supported by opposite walls of a housing; a first pinion mounted on the axle; a second pinion mounted on the axle, wherein the first pinion is disposed on a first side of the thumbwheel and the second pinion is disposed on a second side of the thumbwheel, and whereby rotation of the thumbwheel causes rotation of the first pinion and rotation of the second pinion; a first rack, engageable with the first pinion at a first surface of the first pinion, the first rack being operably connected with a sheath configured to confine the stent; a second rack, engageable with the second pinion at a second surface of the second pinion, the second surface being disposed in a direction diametrically opposite the first surface, the second rack being operably connected with a stent engaging member; wherein the axle is mounted in an elongated slot in each of opposite walls of the housing, the slot having an elongate direction that extends between the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the first rack and the second rack are spaced apart to allow the first pinion to be engaged with the first rack while the second pinion is disengaged from the second rack, and separately, to allow the second pinion to be engaged with the second rack while the first pinion is disengaged from the first rack; a biasing element configured to bias the axle to a first end of the elongated slot, such that the second pinion is engaged with the second rack; and a lever attached to the housing and configured to be operable by a user to urge the axle, against the biasing element, to a second end of the elongated slot opposite the first end, such that the first pinion is engaged with the first rack.