Patent ID: 7608099

Claim:
A device for allowing a user to deploy a stent in an anatomical lumen of a patient, the device comprising: a longitudinally extending inner tubular member having distal and proximal ends, the distal end comprising a tip; a longitudinally extending outer tubular member having an outer and inner diameter, the outer tubular member being longitudinally and axially displaceable relative to the inner tubular member; a handle, coupled with a portion of the outer tubular member, the handle having first and second ends and the second end defining a cavity having at least one stop compatible male or female locking member formed therein; a stop formed about the inner tubular member, the outer surface of the stop comprising at least one female or male locking member configured to coaxially engage the male or female locking member, respectively, of the handle cavity to form a safety mechanism, wherein the locking members are configured to engage one another along an axis coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the inner and outer tubular members; wherein the outer tubular member and inner tubular member are axially displaceable relative to each other without requiring rotational motion with respect to one another to a predetermined threshold corresponding to partial deployment of a stent and engagement of the locking members absent intervention by the user of the device such that relative axial displacement of the outer tubular member and inner tubular member and a corresponding degree of stent deployment is limited by the safety mechanism absent the user intervention.