Method and apparatus for deployment of an endoluminal device

1. An introducer, having a retrograde portion and an anterograde portion, for deployment of an endoluminal device in a body lumen in a distal location from a proximal location, the device having a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, the introducer comprising:

a shaft having a distal tip;

an inner sheath mounted concentrically over the shaft, wherein the endoluminal device is mounted concentrically over the inner sheath in the compressed configuration;

an anterograde sheath attached proximally to the distal tip, mounted over at least a distal portion of the endoluminal device in the anterograde portion of the introducer, the anterograde sheath having an open proximal end such that distal movement of the anterograde sheath unsheathes the portion of the endoluminal device contained thereunder;

anchoring means, comprising an inflatable balloon, in only the retrograde portion configured to:

engage an anchor only a proximal portion of the endoluminal device against the body lumen during the unsheathing of a distal portion of the endoluminal device; and

minimize relative axial movement between the engaged and anchored proximal portion of the device and the body lumen during unsheathing of the distal portion of the endoluminal device; and

a proximally retractable retrograde sheath mounted concentrically over the shaft and inner sheath in the retrograde portion of the introducer and extending distally over a retrograde portion of the endoluminal device, wherein the retrograde sheath and the anterograde sheath are laterally spaced from one another at least when the retrograde sheath is proximally retracted.

2. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable balloon is at or near a proximal end of the device.

3. The introducer of claim 2 , wherein the inner sheath defines a lumen connected to an inner region of the inflatable balloon for communication of a fluid to the balloon for inflation of the balloon.

4. The introducer of claim 2 , wherein the inflatable balloon is mounted concentrically underneath a retrograde portion of the endoluminal device.

5. The introducer of claim 4 , wherein the proximally retractable retrograde sheath extends distally over the balloon.

6. The introducer of claim 5 further comprising a medial sheath mounted concentrically between the inner sheath and the retrograde sheath in the retrograde portion of the introducer.

7. The introducer of claim 6 , wherein the medial sheath has a distal end that terminates proximal of the balloon.

8. The introducer of claim 1 further comprising a radial spacer for providing sufficient space between the inner sheath and the anterograde sheath to contain the endoluminal device.

9. The introducer of claim 8 , wherein the radial spacer is attached proximally to the distal tip.

10. The introducer of claim 1 further comprising:

a medial sheath mounted concentrically between the inner sheath and the retrograde sheath in the retrograde portion of the introducer and terminating proximally of a proximal end of the endoluminal device.

11. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the anterograde portion extends over a greater length of the endoluminal device than the retrograde portion.

12. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the retrograde sheath and the anterograde sheath are laterally spaced from one another before the retrograde sheath is proximally retracted.

13. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the retrograde sheath and the anterograde sheath laterally overlap one another before the retrograde sheath is proximally retracted.

14. An introducer for deployment of an endoluminal device in a body lumen in a distal location from a proximal location, the device having a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, the introducer comprising:

an anterograde portion comprising a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached proximally to the distal tip and mounted over at least a distal portion of the endoluminal device in the anterograde portion of the introducer, the anterograde sheath having an open proximal end such that distal movement of the anterograde sheath unsheathes the portion of the endoluminal device contained thereunder;

a shaft attached to the distal tip and extending concentrically through a central lumen defined by the anterograde portion and retrograde portion;

an inner sheath mounted concentrically over the shaft;

a retrograde portion including a proximally retractable retrograde sheath mounted concentrically over the shaft and inner sheath in the retrograde portion of the introducer and extending distally over a retrograde portion of the endoluminal device, wherein the retrograde sheath and the anterograde sheath are laterally spaced from one another at least when the retrograde sheath is proximally retracted;

an endoluminal device mounted concentrically over the inner sheath in the central lumen and having a distal portion contained by the anterograde portion and a proximal end contained by the retrograde portion, the distal portion constrained in the compressed configuration by the anterograde sheath and adapted to expand into an expanded state as the anterograde sheath is advanced distally; and

an inflatable balloon mounted radially inside only the retrograde portion and sized to:

engage and anchor the endoluminal device proximal end against the body lumen after expansion of the proximal end into the expanded configuration to minimize relative axial movement between the engaged, anchored, expanded proximal end of the device and the body lumen during unsheathing of the endoluminal device distal portion.

15. The introducer of claim 1 , wherein the retrograde sheath and the anterograde sheath abut one another before the retrograde sheath is proximally retracted.