Patent ID: 7717923

Claim:
An over-the-scope stent introducer for use with an endoscope known in the art as comprising a proximal section for remaining outside a patient and an elongate flexible insert having a length sufficient to allow an insert distal end portion to reach a target site within a patient's gastrointestinal tract, the introducer comprising: a slideable end cap inner member useable with said endoscope insert distal end portion, the slideable end cap inner member having a distal opening at a first end portion and a proximal opening at a proximal second end portion, the openings defining a channel extending therebetween that is adapted to slideably receive said endoscope insert distal end portion such that said endoscope insert distal end portion is detachably engaged by a slideable engaging surface within the channel of the slideable end cap inner member; a distal stent abutting restraint disposed at the first end portion of the slideable end cap inner member, the distal stent abutting restraint having a thickness at least sufficient to abut and control proximal axial movement of a stent positioned distal to the inner member such that the stent, prior to deployment, is distal to the first end portion of the end cap inner member; a slideable end cap outer member comprising a distal section and a proximal section, openings formed at the proximal and distal sections and defining a passageway therebetween sized to slideably receive a portion of the end cap inner member and the distal stent abutting restraint, an inner chamber comprising an inner surface disposed in the passageway of the outer member distal section and being configured to releasably and circumferentially envelope the stent, and a pulling member link body; an elongate pushing member configured to be positioned alongside said endoscope insert during use, the pushing member having a distal end in communication with the inner member and further comprising a passageway; and an elongate pulling member configured to be positioned alongside said endoscope insert during use, the pulling member having a distal connecting end secured to the outer member pulling member link body, with the pulling member disposed at least partly within the pushing member passageway, wherein the pulling member is configured to move the outer member proximally and telescopically over the inner member distal first end portion between a pre-deployment position and a deployment position.