Coiled reinforced retractable sleeve for stent delivery catheter

Claim 1

A stent delivery system, comprising: an elongate tubular body, said elongate tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; said proximal portion defined by an inner laminate and an outer laminate; a spiral wound ribbon encapsulated between said inner laminate and said outer laminate; an intravascular catheter slidably disposed within said tubular body, said catheter having an intravascular stent mounted thereon; a manipulating device attached to a proximal end of said tubular body for effecting relative axial movement of said catheter with respect to said tubular body; a passageway formed in a distal end of said tubular body to allow a portion of said catheter carrying said stent to pass therethrough; a port formed in said tubular body, said port adapted for receiving a guidewire therethrough; and a slot formed in said tubular body, said slot extending from said port to a point proximate said passageway, said slot adapted for facilitating the relative movement of the guidewire and the tubular body.