Patent ID: 8591566

Claim:
A method of operating a stent delivery system within a vessel of a patient, comprising: positioning a catheter in the vessel, the catheter having a lumen defining an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end, such that the catheter distal end is at a treatment site; positioning a core assembly within the catheter lumen, the core assembly having (i) an elongate member comprising a distal end, (ii) an intermediate portion comprising a distal end positioned at the member distal end, (iii) a stent having a distal portion and being carried by the intermediate portion, and (iv) a distal cover coupled to the member distal end, the distal cover being capable of rotating about a longitudinal axis with respect to the member, the core assembly being positioned within the lumen such that the intermediate portion distal end is positioned axially adjacent the catheter distal end with at least a portion of the distal cover extending in a space within the lumen radially between the intermediate portion distal end and the catheter distal end; distally advancing the core assembly relative to the catheter to permit expansion of the stent distal portion, the expansion urging the distal cover away from the intermediate portion; and proximally withdrawing the core assembly into the catheter such that the intermediate portion is positioned axially adjacent to the catheter distal end with the distal cover positioned out of the space.