Patent ID: 8002814

Claim:
A method of using an over-the-scope stent introducer, comprising the steps of: providing a stent having a proximal end and a distal end; providing an endoscope having an endoscope insert comprising an insert distal end and an external surface; providing an inner member external to the endoscope insert, the inner member comprising an outer surface and further comprising a distal first end portion and a proximal second end portion, the portions having openings defining an endoscope insert receiving channel comprising an endoscope insert engaging surface that is configured to slideably fit over at least the external surface of the endoscope insert distal end, wherein the distal first end portion of the inner member comprises a distal stent abutting restraint having a thickness configured to control proximal axial movement of the stent, the proximal end of the stent positioned distal to the inner member so that the distal stent abutting restraint operably contacts the proximal end of the stent; providing an outer member external to the inner member, the outer member having distal and proximal sections defining a passageway sized to slideably fit over at least a portion of the inner member outer surface and having a stent carrying inner chamber disposed in the passageway of the distal section and configured to releasably contain the stent; providing a pushing member external to a portion of the endoscope insert and in communication with the inner member first end portion, the pushing member being configured to prevent proximal movement of the stent relative to the outer member as the stent carrying inner chamber of the outer member is being pulled proximally over the inner member distal first end portion; providing a pulling member in communication with the outer member distal section, the pulling member being configured to move the stent carrying inner chamber of the outer member proximally and telescopically over the inner member between a pre-deployment and deployment position in order to deliver the stent; disposing the inner member slideably over at least a portion of the endoscope insert distal end being received in the endoscope receiving channel of the inner member; and disposing the outer member slideably over at least the portion of the inner member fitting within the outer member passageway.