Patent ID: 8133252

Claim:
An embolic coil deployment system and reattachable introducer comprising: a sheath which takes a form of an elongated, flexible, tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough and having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer wall, said sheath having a side opening in the outer wall of said sheath adjacent to the proximal end of said sheath, and said sheath having a longitudinal slit extending through the outer wall of said sheath and extending from said side opening and in a direction toward the distal end of said sheath; said side opening has a diameter greater than an outside diameter of said longitudinal slit; a cylindrical sleeve slidably disposed about said sheath and being movable between said side opening of said sheath toward the distal end of said sheath; said cylindrical sleeve being short enough to move beyond said side opening and at least some of said slit when moved toward said distal end, without extending beyond said distal end; a deployment catheter having a lumen extending therethrough and having a proximal section and a distal section, said deployment catheter being slidably disposed through said side opening of said sheath and through the lumen of said sheath; and a vascular, occlusive embolic coil being detachably attached to the distal section of said deployment catheter.