Abstract: Polymer stents with break-away links and methods of forming the links for improved stent retention on an expandable member during delivery are disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

Abstract: A stent has a first stent body and a second stent body. The first stent body is a rolled stent having a first end and a second end and the second stent body is a tubular stent. The stent has a deployed state, the stent being within a body lumen in the deployed state. The second stent body at least partially disposed within the first stent body when the stent is in the deployed state so that the first end of the first stent body overlaps the second end of the first stent body for a first overlap length.

Abstract: A stent graft introducer has stent graft releasably retained onto a deployment catheter and a sheath encloses the stent graft. A handle assembly has a handle, a first slide and a second slide. The first slide retracts within the second slide and the second slide retracts within the handle. An actuation arrangement comprises a first longitudinal gear rack on the first slide, a second longitudinal gear rack on the second slide and a ratchet lever assembly on the handle. Actuation of the ratchet lever assembly causes the second slide to fully retract into the handle at which time the ratchet lever assembly engages the first gear rack through an aperture in the second rack and continued actuation causes retraction of the first slide thereby retracting the sheath from the pusher to expose the stent graft.

Abstract: Medical devices may be utilized for local and regional therapeutic agent delivery. These therapeutic agents or compounds may reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the prevention of thrombosis. The drugs, agents, and/or compounds may also be utilized to treat specific disorders, including restenosis, vulnerable plaque, and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients.

Abstract: A system for delivering an expandable implant into the vasculature of a patient, including an elongated core element having a proximal end accessible exterior to the patient and a distal end including at least one feature for engaging a proximal portion of the implant in a collapsed state. The system further includes an expansion limiter having an inner diameter and a length sufficient to cover the proximal portion of the implant and to retain the proximal portion in the collapsed state, and at least one elongated member having a distal end connected to the expansion limiter and a proximal end accessible exterior to the patient to enable proximal movement of the expansion limiter to release the implant.

Abstract: A vascular device is provided that includes a tubular structure and an occluding structure. The tubular structure has inner and outer layers, with the occluding structure located between the inner and outer layers. Each of the inner and outer layers may define a different pick count, and the tubular structure may include a leading edge at a transition between the pick counts. The leading edge may be disposed at the distal end of the vascular device when the device is deployed from a delivery device. Furthermore, the occluding structure may have first and second layers formed by the inversion or eversion of the occluding structure and the subsequent coupling of its free ends to form a continuous structure. Thus, any loose ends may be sealed to minimize unraveling and/or shifting of the occluding structure within the tubular structure. A method of making the vascular device is also provided.

Abstract: A stent includes a cylindrical frame consisting of a series of helical winds containing a pattern of alternating zigzag bends. The frame may be made of resilient wire or from a piece of laser cut hypo tubing by placing the stent over a notched portion of a pusher catheter member, and retained on the pusher catheter member by a release wire threaded through the pusher catheter member and over the stent. The stent may also be deployed by placing the stent over a pusher catheter member having opposing notched portions, and retaining the stent and pusher catheter member in a delivery catheter, which can be withdrawn when stent reaches the site to be treated to release the stent.

Abstract: A stent delivery assembly is provided that includes a microcatheter, a delivery tube, a stent, and an elongate release member. The stent can have a first end that is (i) disposed within a delivery tube lumen and (ii) constrained by the delivery tube from radially expanding beyond a delivery tube lumen diameter. The stent can have a second end that is (i) disposed outside of a delivery tube distal end and (ii) substantially radially unconstrained by the delivery tube to expand beyond the delivery tube lumen diameter. The elongate release member can be moveable between first and second positions to engage or release the stent.

Abstract: The present application discloses a surgical apparatus for aneurysms comprising: a stent, a delivery guide wire, an introducer sheath and a microcatheter, wherein: the stent is a self-expanding stent; the delivery guide wire outside of which the stent is restrained to is provided in a lumen of the introducer sheath; the introducer sheather is connected with the microcatheter, with lumnes communicating, to form a passageway through which the delivery guide wire and the stent are delivered into a human body. The surgical apparatus for aneurysms provided in the examples of the present application is able to deliver and release the stent which has high density and is super soft to a vascular lesion. A lattice structure of the stent is of high coverage at the vascular lesion such that the stent released into the vessel prodeces the same effects as healing of parent vessel, and thus improves the treatment of vascular aneurysms.

Abstract: A delivery system for an endoluminal device including an introducer, the introducer having a distal end intended to remain outside a patient in use and a proximal end. A stent graft having a first and second end is retained upon the introducer, the stent graft defining a fenestration disposed through a wall of the stent graft between the first and second end. A valve arrangement is disposed within an interior lumen of the stent graft about the fenestration. A retention system including a trigger wire engages and retains the valve arrangement away from the fenestration. The fenestration is in fluid communication with the interior lumen of the stent graft.

Abstract: A deployment system for open surgical repair of a body vessel is provided. The system includes a prosthesis retained in a compressed configuration by a retainer sheath. A splitting member can include a portion disposed internally within the retainer sheath and a portion accessible from at least one of the outer ends of the retainer sheath. Retraction of the accessible portion toward a middle of the prosthesis can split the wall of the retainer sheath to allow for expansion of a segment of the prosthesis for engagement with a first portion of the body vessel. Another segment of the prosthesis is expanded for engagement with a second portion in order for the prosthesis to interconnect the first and second portions of the body vessel. A barrier segment may be disposed within the retainer sheath between the splitting member and the prosthesis.

Abstract: Delivery systems for a polymeric tubular implant, kits that include such delivery systems, and methods of treating patients by implanting tubular implants using the delivery systems. The delivery systems include an inner shaft, an expandable member slidably disposed about the inner shaft and configured to receive the tubular implant, and a tubular outer shaft disposed about the inner shaft.

Abstract: An expandable surgical site access system and method for using the expandable surgical site access system to perform minimally invasive, percutaneous surgeries to access the spine or other bone structures, organs, or locations of the body is disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical site access system includes an elongated, expandable stent that is particularly adapted to be deployed in a body during a surgical procedure to provide access to a surgical site within the body. The stent defines a working channel through the body from a point of entry to the surgical site.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided, which includes an endovascular stent-graft (20) and a heating device (22) that is coupled to the stent-graft (20). The stent-graft (20) is configured to be implanted in at least one blood vessel in a vicinity of an aneurysm (102). The heating device (22) is configured to apply, to a region (24) external to the stent-graft (20), thermal energy sufficient to coagulate blood flowing into the aneurysm (102). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system has a tubular member defining a passageway and an inner member slideably disposed within the passageway. An expandable intraluminal medical device is disposed on a chamber of the inner member, and an evertable sleeve is attached to the inner member proximal to the chamber and to an inner surface of the tubular member. Relative movement between the tubular and outer members moves the evertable sleeve from a first position substantially overlying the expandable intraluminal medical device to a second position substantially proximal to the chamber.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a distal-side tube having a guide wire lumen, a proximal-side tube, a fixing tube at which a proximal portion of the distal-side tube and a distal portion of the proximal-side tube are fixed and which has an opening communicating with the guide wire lumen, a stent accommodation tubular member which encloses a distal side of the distal-side tube and is slidable toward a proximal end of the distal-side tube, a stent accommodated inside the stent accommodation tubular member, and a pulling wire whose one end portion is fixed to the stent accommodation tubular member and which extends inside the proximal-side tube for moving the stent accommodation tubular member toward a proximal side by being pulled toward the proximal side.

Abstract: A stent graft delivery device (1) has an elongated extension piece (20) extending from its proximal end of the introducer portion (3). The elongate extension piece is selectively separable from the introducer portion. A plurality of auxiliary guide wires (50) extend from through the stent graft delivery device and through the elongate extension piece. The auxiliary guide wires can cross over at the proximal end of the extension piece and return. The stent graft delivery device can be introduced into a patient via a femoral artery and the elongated extension piece can extend out an artery of the thoracic arch whereby to extend the auxiliary guide wires out of such an artery to give through and through guide wires. Catheterization of pararenal arteries is then possible via a brachial route.

Abstract: Transluminal access system includes a stent delivery catheter having a handle control mechanism. The catheter comprises a number of components for establishing an initial penetration between adjacent body lumens and subsequently implanting a stent or other luminal anchor therebetween. Manipulation of the stent components is achieved using control mechanisms on the handle while the handle is attached to an endoscope which provides access to a first body lumen.

Abstract: Medical systems and devices are described. In one example, a system for delivering an implantable endoprosthesis into a body vessel is described. The system includes a handle assembly having a housing, a rotatable member, a first pulley engaged to the rotatable member, a second pulley rotatably engaged to the housing, and a belt extending between the first pulley and the second pulley, the belt engaged to the first pulley. The system further includes an inner member, an outer sheath secured to the belt and disposed about at least a portion of the inner member. The system excludes a rack.

Abstract: A system for open surgical repair of a body vessel is described herein. A retention sleeve receives an expandable prosthesis. The sleeve has a delivery and a deployed configuration. In the delivery configuration, the sleeve has at least one overlapped region and the sleeve is sized to retain the prosthesis in a compressed configuration for insertion of ends of the prosthesis into the vessel. In the deployed configuration, the sleeve is moves to a larger cross-sectional area to allow for expansion of the ends of the prosthesis for engagement with the vessel. One or more releasable members are extendable through the overlapped region to retain the sleeve in the delivery configuration. The releasable member is removable from the overlapped region, preferably from the center of the prosthesis, to permit the sleeve to move to the deployed configuration and expansion of the outer ends prior to the center of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for a self-expanding medical device. The delivery system has a handle assembly with a housing. The housing has a slot with a deployment knob extending therethrough. The self-expanding medical device is deployed by restraining the housing of the handle assembly and pulling on the deployment knob. This causes an outer sheath to withdraw proximally from an inner catheter to release the self-expanding medical device from a space between the outer sheath and inner catheter.

Abstract: A stent delivery system and method are provided. The system includes an inner elongate shaft and an outer elongate shaft, the inner elongate shaft coaxially extends at least partially within the lumen of the outer elongate shaft and the inner and outer elongate shafts are movably positionable relative to each other. The system also includes a stent positionable on the inner elongate shaft, the stent having a plurality of openings and a restraining wire where a proximal portion is operably connected to one of the inner and the outer elongate shaft and the distal portion is operably connected to the other of the inner and the outer elongate shaft. Movement of the inner and outer elongate shafts relative to each other in a first direction applies tension to at least a portion of the restraining wire to move the stent to the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A stent delivery system and a method for releasably constraining a stent and a method of implanting a stent are provided. The stent delivery system includes an elongate shaft including a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, and a stent receiving portion on the distal portion of the shaft. The stent delivery system also includes a stent positioned at the stent receiving portion of the elongate shaft, the stent having a constrained configuration and an expanded configuration. A first biasing member is operably connected to the shaft and the stent and a second biasing member is operably connected to the shaft and the stent. The first and second biasing members have a first configuration cooperatively applying a longitudinal tensioning force to the stent and a second configuration cooperatively releasing the longitudinal tensioning force on the stent.

Abstract: An implant delivery catheter enables permanent modification of the implant length in the vicinity of the treatment site prior to radial expansion thereof. The implant is releasable carried between inner and outer tubular members of the delivery catheter which, upon repositioning relative to one another using an actuator mechanism, impart any of tensile, compressile or torquing forces to the implant causing permanent modification of the implant length. In one embodiment, the circumference of the implant is substantially similar both before and after modification of the implant length. In another embodiment, the implant includes a plurality of strut sections interconnected by bridges which are capable of the deformation along the longitudinal axis of the implant.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a body and an operation unit disposed at the proximal end of the body. The body includes a self-expanding stent, an inner tube body, and a stent-accommodating tube body in which the stent is accommodated. The inner tube body has a stent-holding part enabling the stent to be re-accommodated into the stent-accommodating tube body. The operation unit includes a rack member fixed to a proximal end of the stent-accommodating tube body, an operation rotary roller having a working gear wheel that engages the teeth of the rack member, thereby causing the rack member to move forward and backward; and a connector fixed to a proximal end portion of a proximal-side tube that penetrates the stent-accommodating tube body and protrudes from the proximal end of the stent-accommodating tube body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a balloon catheter comprising a catheter tube, an inflatable balloon, the ends of which are attached to the catheter tube, and a stent attached around the balloon. The stent extends at least partly along the length of the balloon. In an uninflated state, at least the outside surface of the balloon not covered by the stent is provided with a relief structure which is substantially disappeared in an inflated state of the balloon. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a balloon catheter.

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) is provided, which is configured to initially be placed in a delivery shaft (40) in a radially-compressed state, and which comprises a support structure (36) and a covering element (38). The support structure (36) has proximal and distal ends, and is shaped so as to define at least a coupling portion (30), which 5 is configured to transition to a partially-radially-expanded state upon deployment of the stent-graft (20) from the delivery shaft (40), in which state the coupling portion (30) defines a sharp tip (34) at the proximal end of the support structure (36). The covering element (38) is securely attached to and covers at least a portion of the support structure (36). A 10 coupling-end expansion tool (100) is configured to transition the coupling portion (30) from the partially-radially-expanded state to a more-radially-expanded state. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system includes a retention sheath having a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion having first and second sheath branch portions. The proximal ends of the sheath branch portions are joined together at a sheath branch junction. The system also includes an inner catheter disposed within the retention sheath. The inner catheter includes a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion with first and second catheter branch portions. The proximal ends are joined together at a catheter branch junction. When the sheath is in an initial position, the catheter branch junction is displaced proximally from the sheath branch junction by a distance that is greater than or equal to the larger of a length of a first medical device and the length of a second medical device.

Abstract: A system for intraluminally delivering and deploying stents and other prostheses includes an outer catheter, an inner catheter movable axially relative to the outer catheter, and an anchoring device mounted to a distal end region of the inner catheter. The anchoring device includes one or more control features that interact with a linking structure proximally disposed on the prosthesis, preferably including one or more loops. The control features and loops interact by surface engagement to anchor the prosthesis relative to the inner catheter in a nonfrictional manner, thus to maintain lower axial prosthesis deployment and retraction forces. In one version of the anchor, the control features extend radially outward from a sleeve. In another version, the control features are formed in respective recesses which also receive the loops or other linking structure.

Abstract: An actuation assembly having at least one lever operably connected to one or more trigger wires which are operably connected to a stent retaining device for a stent graft introducer is disclosed. The lever or levers can be extended or detached from the introducer to remove the trigger wires.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a delivery system for a medical device includes a flexible sheath defining a lumen having a distal end and a flexible shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A retention element and a pushing element, spaced proximally from the retention element, are disposed on the distal portion. The flexible shaft, retention element, and pushing element are disposable within the lumen. The flexible shaft is movable distally through the lumen between a stowed position and a deployed position and is movable proximally through the lumen between the deployed position and a partially deployed position with the retention element proximate to the distal end of the lumen. The retention element is configured to form with the medical device an interference fit with the flexible sheath when the flexible shaft is urged proximally from the retention position to engage the medical device with the flexible sheath.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to catheters for delivering medical devices to a human patient's vasculature. A catheter comprises a sock which covers the medical device at the end of the catheter, and an introducer sheath which is reduced in diameter. This reduced diameter introducer sheath minimizes the crossing of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying and retrieving a self-expanding intravascular stent includes an intravascular delivery wire and floating marker band movably retained over the intravascular stent delivery wire and releasably mounting the self-expanding intravascular stent. The floating marker band is movably retained to a fixed marker band, and a distance between the fixed marker band and the floating marker band is variable and self-adjusting. One or more struts of the self-expanding intravascular stent are releasably constrained between a catheter wall and one or more sides of the floating marker band.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a bifurcated intracorporeal device. The delivery system comprises a shaft having a distal section supporting a primary support member positioned to be disposed within at least a primary portion of the bifurcated intracorporeal device and a secondary support member extending within a secondary portion of the bifurcated intracorporeal device. At least one belt is configured to be circumferentially disposed about a portion of the secondary support member so to at least partially constrain the secondary portion of the bifurcated intracorporeal device. A tube defining a lumen is secured relative to the secondary support member. A release member is configured to engage and releasably secure the belt in a constraining configuration. The release member extends through at least a portion of the tube lumen such that the release member is accessible adjacent a proximal end of the tube.

Abstract: An introducer system includes a release wire and wire receivers forming a constraining mechanism that facilitates constraining at least one segment of an implant while permitting the remainder of the implant to expand during deployment. The constrained segment includes wire receivers associated with the implant that couple to the release wire and hold the constrained segment in its constrained state until it is released to expand.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis (100) comprises a structural member (131), which defines, when the prosthesis (100) assumes an expanded state, a substantially tubular structure (111), and two wings (107, 108), which are coupled to a proximal end (118) of the tubular structure (111). If the wings (107, 108) are placed within and in contact with a right circular cylinder (102), which has a diameter of between 2.5 and 3 cm, such that a distal end (119) of the tubular structure (111) is outside the cylinder (102): (a) an axis (116) of the tubular structure (111) defines an angle of between 75 and 90 degrees with an axis (106) of the cylinder (102), (b) the wings (107, 108) at least partially occupy respective arcs (103A, 103B) of the cylinder (102), at least one of which arcs (103A, 103B) has an angle of no more than 180 degrees, and (c) the wings (107, 108) have respective greatest axial lengths (104) along the cylinder axis (106), at least one of which is at least 1.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including translucent layers, opaque layers, and a braid composed of helically wound metal filaments. The outer catheter has a translucent distal adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained. Radiopaque markers can be mounted to the outer catheter and to an inner catheter used to deploy the prosthesis, to afford a combined visual and fluoroscopic monitoring for enhanced accuracy in positioning the prosthesis, both before and during its deployment.

Abstract: A deployment system is configured to deploy a prosthesis into an internal lumen of a patient. The system can include an introducer with the loaded prosthesis. A spacing mechanism can be disposed axially along the introducer. When the prosthesis is mounted onto the introducer in a radially compressed configuration, an end of a first stent and a second stent can engage a contact point of the spacing mechanism to maintain the axial distance between the first and second stents and prevent axial compression of the prosthesis during loading and deployment. The spacing mechanism can reside within the prosthesis and be disposed outwardly away from the introducer to contact the interior surface of the prosthesis. The spacing mechanism can include a flexible longitudinal member, such as a wire or strip, or a tubular body.

Abstract: A catheter system for implanting an endoprosthesis at a treatment site in a patient's body lumen. The catheter includes an elongated shaft outer member and a stent sheath distal portion and a self-expanding stent radially restrained in a collapsed configuration within the stent sheath distal portion. A balloon catheter dimensioned for relative axial movement within the shaft outer member has an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen and a device receiving lumen. A stent stop secured to the balloon catheter is reversibly radially expandable to deploy from a collapsed to a radially expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the stent stop prevents longitudinal displacement of the stent. A balloon is located on a distal shaft section is releasably locked with respect to the shaft outer member and slidably disposed therein in an unlocked configuration.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for coupling a stent to a delivery system is disclosed. The attachment mechanism is configured to pivot relative to an inner shaft assembly of the delivery system in order to release the stent from the delivery system.

Abstract: A delivery device includes a delivery tube having an elongate release member. An everted stent may be releasably captured by the elongate release member between the release member and the delivery tube. The captured and everted stent can be distally advanced to a target site, followed by manipulating the release member to free the captured stent. Some devices utilize distal advancement of the release member while other devices use proximal retraction of the release member to free the captured stent. Once released, the stent is free to self-expand or be expanded against the surrounding blockage and/or vessel walls. In some methods, a guide catheter or microcatheter is also included and disposed about the everted and captured stent to advance the stent, delivery tube, and release member to a location near the site to be stented.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthesis in a patient at a treatment site includes advancing an outer catheter of a prosthesis delivery system in the patient and advancing an inner sheath and a guidewire lumen of the delivery system from the outer catheter to the treatment site along a guidewire while the outer catheter remains stationary relative to the patient. The method also includes locking an apex release lumen, a sheath lumen and a guidewire lumen within the apex release lumen, with respect to an outer catheter and rotationally locking the apex release lumen, the sheath lumen and the guidewire lumen. The apex release lumen, the sheath lumen and the guidewire lumen are threaded onto a guidewire and directed into a patient and the apex release lumen and the sheath lumen are unlocked with respect to the outer catheter.

Abstract: An expandable prosthetic device and method of delivery that allows the initial placement of multiple guidewires into selected target sites. The prosthesis includes a main body device. This main body device has a separate side branch guidewire lumen that passes through the main body device and through a side opening in the main body device. As the main body device is advanced, the side opening is self guided (by the side branch guidewire) and self-aligns to the side branch vessel ostium. The main body device is then deployed, leaving the side branch guidewire in place. A side branch device is then advanced along the side branch guidewire through the main body device, through the side wall opening and into the native side branch vessel. The side branch device can then be deployed to engage the main body device and the native side branch vessel.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system has a tubular member defining a passageway and an inner member slideably disposed within the passageway. An expandable intraluminal medical device is disposed on a chamber of the inner member, and an evertable sleeve is attached to the inner member proximal to the chamber and to an inner surface of the tubular member. Relative movement between the tubular and outer members moves the evertable sleeve from a first position substantially overlying the expandable intraluminal medical device to a second position substantially proximal to the chamber.

Abstract: A stent delivery system is provided with a stent which, when inserted into an organism, is compressed in the center axis direction and which, when placed in the organism, can be expanded outward and restored to the shape which the stent has before being compressed; an inner tube body (inner tube); and a stent housing tube body (sheath) in which the stent is housed. The stent can be discharged by moving the stent housing tube body to the proximal side relative to the inner tube body. At least a portion of an inner surface of the stent housing tube body is a substantially polygonal prism-shaped inner surface which extends in the axial direction of the stent housing tube body.

Abstract: System including a delivery catheter and a stent disposed at a distal end of the delivery catheter. The stent includes a plurality of radially expandable rings disposed adjacent to one another to define a tubular member having a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion, and a middle portion, each of the radially expandable rings including a plurality of strut members. The middle portion of the tubular member include a plurality of interconnection members extending between longitudinally adjacent expandable rings, the number of the plurality of the interconnection members being greater than that of the end portion of the tubular member. The stent also includes a transition section between the end portion and the middle portion, the transition section including at least one open cell and at least one closed cell. The stent can be self-expandable or balloon expandable.

Abstract: Described herein are flexible implantable devices or stents that can conform to the shape of vessels of the neurovasculature. In some embodiments, the devices can direct blood flow within a vessel away from an aneurysm or limit blood flow to the aneurysm. In some embodiments, a vascular remodeling device includes a first section and a protruding section. During deployment, the device expands from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration. The first section anchors the device in an afferent vessel and/or in an efferent vessel of a bifurcation and the protruding section is positioned in the junction of the bifurcation having an aneurysm and across the neck of the aneurysm or at least partially within the aneurysm.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying an occluding device that can be used to remodel an aneurysm within the vessel by, for example, neck reconstruction or balloon remodeling. The system comprises an introducer sheath and an assembly for carrying the occluding device. The assembly includes an elongated flexible member having an occluding device retaining member for receiving a first end of the occluding device, a proximally positioned retaining member for engaging a second end of the occluding device and a support surrounding a portion of the elongated flexible member over which the occluding device can be positioned.

Abstract: A system for intraluminally delivering and deploying stents and other prostheses includes an outer catheter, an inner catheter movable axially relative to the outer catheter, and an anchoring device mounted to a distal end region of the inner catheter. The anchoring device includes one or more control features that interact with a linking structure proximally disposed on the prosthesis, preferably including one or more loops. The control features and loops interact by surface engagement to anchor the prosthesis relative to the inner catheter in a nonfrictional manner, thus to maintain lower axial prosthesis deployment and retraction forces. In one version of the anchor, the control features extend radially outward from a sleeve. In another version, the control features are formed in respective recesses which also receive the loops or other linking structure.