A device for holding in the hand, for coupling to a transluminal stent delivery system which places a self-expanding stent by withdrawing proximally towards the device a sleeve which confines the stent in a radially confined delivery disposition the device including a first abutment for maintaining the stent spaced from the device and a second abutment which is retractable along a track within the device, in a movement which effects the proximal movement of the sleeve the device further including means to retract the second abutment stepwise along the track the device being characterised by: a full stroke actuator, to advance the second abutment all the way from an intermediate point on said track to said finishing point in one single stroke of the said actuator, the intermediate point being selectable by the user within a portion of the track which extends over at least half the length of the track.
