Introducer with expandable and contractible tip

摘要

An introducer assembly (20) e.g. catheter, for the deployment of an implantable medical device (12) such as a stent, stent graft or other medical device, includes a dilator tip (22) e.g. which is able to be compressed radially so as to be withdrawn into the introducer assembly (20) so as to position the implantable medical device (12) at the distal most end of the introducer assembly once the dilator tip has been withdrawn. This enables the implantable medical device (12) to be positioned much closer to both parts of a patient's anatomy, for instance much closer to an aortic valve (92). In the preferred embodiment the dilator tip (22) includes an inflatable and deflatable balloon element (28) which is able to be withdrawn into the assembly wile the implantable medical device (12) remains in its constrained position in the introducer assembly (20).