Patent ID: 7172605

Claim:
Applicator for a prosthesis having a tubular element provided with distal and proximal flange fingers arranged distributed around the periphery of the tubular element, at least one of the distal flange fingers and the proximal flange fingers, adapted to be reversibly bent, against a resilient force, from a position projecting outwards with respect to the tubular element into a straightened position in which the projection of the respective flange fingers on a radial transverse plane of the tubular element is substantially on or within the periphery of the tubular element, wherein the applicator comprises: a carrier tube having, at the distal end thereof, a supporting ring that fits inside the tubular element and has an external peripheral surface suitable for supporting said tubular element; a release rod that is housed in the carrier tube, can be moved with respect thereto and has, at the distal end, a distal release ring; wherein the distal release ring has an undercut that opens in the proximal direction, extends around the periphery and has a first internal peripheral surface facing inwards, and wherein said first internal peripheral surface is located inside or on the outermost contour of the external peripheral surface of the supporting ring.