Patent ID: 6964669

Claim:
A linear delivery system comprising: (i) a unitary sheath assembly having a base portion including a housing having first and second ends, a lumen extending through said housing, a slot located on the housing for receiving a stem, said slot further including a bendable tong portion, and a stem receiving element at said second end; a retractable shaft portion including an inner lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end and in fluid communication with the lumen of the base portion, and a shaft hub coupled to the proximal end fo the retractable shaft portion and the second end of the base portion; and a retraction tab disposed on said base portion, said retraction tab slidably moveable along a longitudinal axis thereof, said retraction tab including lower stem means received by said stem receiving element through said slot for securedly attaching said retraction tab to said base portion wherein upon axial movement of the retraction tab alone the longitudinal axis, the shaft is withdrawn from the second end of the base toward the first end of the base, and further wherein engagement of the retractable tab in the bendable tong inhibits movement of the delivery device relative to the sheath assembly; and (ii) a balloon delivery device configured for insertion through the sheath assembly, the device having a catheter, a hub and a guide tab coupled to the hub.