A stent delivery system (100) that helps equalize delivery forces throughout a vascular prosthesis during delivery thereof to an intended treatment site. The delivery system comprises a catheter (110) having a lumen (120) therethrough, an inner core (130) over which the one or more stents (200) or stent grafts is mounted for delivery from the catheter, and an outer sheath (150) overlying the one or more stent or stent graft and the inner core. The inner core of the further comprises a series of outwardly flared members (135) that engage segments or fill voids in or between the stent, stents or stent grafts, respectively. The outwardly flared members of the inner core thus help maintain the segments of the stent or the one or more stents or stent grafts in spaced relation with respect to one another as delivery thereof occurs and as removal of the outer sheath occurs to position the one or more stents or stent grafts at the intended treatment site. The outwardly flared members thus help to distribute delivery forces more evenly throughout the one or more stents or stent grafts being delivered from the catheter. The outwardly flared members further aid accurate placement of the one or more stents or stent grafts by maintaining longitudinal spacing thereof during delivery.
