Patent ID: 8308790

Claim:
A system for implanting a prosthesis, comprising: a handle having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a prosthesis delivery assembly including, an guidewire catheter slidably disposed in said handle between a retracted position and an extended position, said guidewire catheter having a distal end and a tip at said distal end of said guidewire catheter, a sheath catheter slidably disposed about said guidewire catheter and having a distal end, and a relatively flexible prosthesis sheath connected to said distal end of said sheath catheter; and a relatively stiff outer catheter rotationally and longitudinally fixedly connected to a distal portion of said handle about said sheath catheter and having a proximal end and a distal end; and a locking mechanism that selectively locks the guidewire catheter to the sheath catheter when the locking mechanism is in one position and the guidewire catheter to the outer catheter when the locking mechanism is in another position, whereby one of said sheath catheter and said outer catheter are retractable relative to the other catheter while said other catheter and said guidewire catheter remain essentially stationary relative to each other.