Patent ID: 7001419

Claim:
A stent delivery system comprising: a catheter, the catheter having a catheter shaft, the catheter shaft having a balloon mounted thereto; a stent, the stent disposed about at least a portion of the balloon, the stent having an unexpanded state and an expanded state; at least one sleeve, the at least one sleeve having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being engaged to at least a portion of the catheter shaft adjacent to the stent, the second portion at least partially overlaying an end of the stent when the stent is in the unexpanded state; at least one membrane, at least a portion of the membrane disposed beneath at least a portion of the at least one sleeve, the at least one membrane disposed about at least a portion of the stent, the at least one membrane constructed and arranged to prevent the at least a portion of the stent from flaring outward during advancement of the catheter through a vessel.