An introducer and a delivery assembly for introduction of a prosthesis into a bodily lumen is disclosed. The introducer comprises: a sheath； a housing mounted to a distal end of the sheath, the housing having a passage there-through adapted to receive a delivery assembly； a port for introducing flushing fluid, the port communicating with the passage； and a liquid absorbing seal for sealably receiving the delivery assembly, the liquid absorbing seal disposed within the housing distally of the port. The delivery assembly comprises: a guide wire catheter； a tip mounted to a proximal end of the guide wire catheter； a distal delivery member mounted around the guide wire catheter and located distal of the tip； and a prosthesis receiving portion between the tip and the distal delivery member. The delivery assembly is slidably mounted through the introducer. Absorption of fluid swells the liquid absorbing seal.
