Patent ID: 8758421

Claim:
A system, comprising: an outer tubular member defining a lumen; an inner tubular member extending within the lumen of the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member having a sidewall defining an aperture configured to allow a guide wire to pass therethrough, the inner and outer tubular members being configured so that an implantable medical endosprosthesis can be disposed between the inner and outer tubular members; a support member disposed in a lumen of the inner tubular member, the support member being configured such that at least a portion of the support member can be disposed adjacent the aperture, the support member and the outer tubular member being configured to retract relative to the inner tubular member, wherein the support member has a solid cross-section; wherein a portion of the sidewall of the inner tubular member proximal to the aperture defines a plurality of cuts so as to increase the flexibility of the inner tubular member while allowing the inner tubular member to be pushable in the distal direction; and wherein a portion of the sidewall of the inner tubular member distal to the aperture defines at least one cut in the form of a continuous spiral for increasing the flexibility of the inner tubular member.