This invention is directed to a stent delivery system for implanting a flexible, generally cylindrical, expandable, coiled stent. The system comprises a catheter defining at least one lumen and having at least two longitudinally displaced openings or sets of openings, a flexible, self-expandable coiled stent (20) having discrete proximal (25) and distal end sections (24), said stent being wound circumferentially around said catheter and coils of the stent being more closely wound at the proximal and/or distal end sections, and one or two release wire (26) cooperating with restraining means (51) so that as the release wire or wires are withdrawn proximally, the proximal and distal end sections of stent are released in such a manner that coils of the stent unwind and the length of the unwound stent is not substantially less than the length of the portion of the unreleased stent that is not more closely wound.
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