Patent ID: 6991646

Claim:
A method for delivering a stent into a body lumen, said method comprising the steps of: (1) providing a stent delivery device comprising an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end and sized to hold said stent therein in a radially constricted condition, an inner tube within said outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a balloon fixedly mounted on said inner tube and positioned within said outer tube; (2) positioning said stent in a radially constricted state within said outer tube in a longitudinal position so that at least a portion of said stent is longitudinally contiguous with at least a portion of said balloon; (3) inflating said balloon so as to trap said stent between said balloon and said outer tube; (4) guiding said delivery device within said body lumen to position said stent within said delivery device to a position within said body lumen; and (5) moving said outer tube proximally relative to said inner tube, said balloon and said stent so as to at least partially release said stent from said outer tube.