Patent ID: 8535368

Claim:
A stent loading and deployment device comprising: an outer elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and a length therein between; an outer tubular handle disposed at the proximal end of the outer tubular member; an inner elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends, a length therein between and slidably disposed within the outer tubular member, wherein when the distal ends of the outer tubular member and the inner tubal member are axially aligned, a stent deployment region is defined therein between; an inner tubular handle disposed at the proximal end of the inner tubular member; a stent loading member having opposed proximal and distal ends, a length therein between and slidably disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member; a stent loading member handle disposed at the proximal end of the stent loading member; and a stent engaging member having opposed proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the stent engaging member is securably disposed to the distal end of the stent loading member; wherein the stent engaging member has a truncated-conical shape, being smaller at its proximal end; wherein the stent engaging member is a radially distensible member which is collapsible such that the stent engaging member may be slidably contained within the outer tubular member; wherein the distal end of the stent loading member is slidable to a distal position past the distal end of the outer tubular member for receiving a stent and is further slidable toward the proximal end of the outer tubular member to a location past the stent deployment region for disengagement of a stent from the stent loading member; wherein the length of the stent loading member is greater than the length of the outer elongate tubular member; wherein the inner elongate tubular member comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion with the distal portion having a greater diameter than the proximal portion, and wherein the proximal portion of the inner elongate tubular member is slidable throughout the stent loading member handle while the distal portion of the inner elongate tubular member is slidable through only a portion of the stent member handle.