The present invention relates to a delivery apparatus for delivering a radially self-expanding medical device (2) having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said delivery apparatus comprising an elongated tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen (122) extending along a longitudinal axis from the proximal end to the distal end a sheath (11), said sheath (11) being coaxially disposed around the elongated tubular member (12) wherein the elongated tubular member (12) is movable relative to the sheath (11) and wherein the sheath (11) is configured for receiving the radially self-expanding medical device (2) in a radially compressed state and a holding and retrieving mechanism configured to constrain radially the proximal portion of the radially self-expanding medical device (2) such that in response to a proximal movement of the elongated tubular member (12) relative to the sheath (11), the holding and retrieving mechanism (13) constrains radially the proximal portion of the radially self-expanding medical device (2) and the radially self-expanding medical device (2) is collapsed within the sheath (11).
