Patent ID: 8414644

Claim:
A vascular implant delivery device configured to deliver a self-expanding vascular implant comprising one or more locking members, the delivery device comprising: an elongate support tube having a distal end; a locking mechanism disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the elongate support tube, the locking mechanism comprising: a capture slot configured to engage the one or more locking members of the self-expanding vascular implant; and a plurality of guide slots configured to receive a portion of the self-expanding vascular implant when the one or more locking members is engaged with the capture slot, the capture slot positioned at a proximal end of the plurality of guide slots; wherein the locking mechanism is configured to minimize axial movement of the implant when the locking mechanism and the one or more locking members are engaged; and an elongate sheath configured to slide over the support tube to cover at least the capture slot when the one or more locking members of the self-expanding vascular implant is engaged with the capture slot, whereby the sheath is configured to restrain radial movement of the one or more implant locking members, and thereby prevent release of the one or more locking members from the locking mechanism, when the sheath is positioned over the capture slot and the one or more locking members is engaged with the capture slot.