A delivery device (10) for an implantable medical device having at least one retention member at an end thereof includes a shaft (24) extending in a longitudinal direction, an elongated sheath (22) surrounding a longitudinal portion of the shaft, a compartment (28) defined inside of the sheath and adapted to receive the medical device in an assembled condition, a retainer (30) positioned at one end of the compartment, and at least one acceptance (36) in the retainer adapted to receive the retention member of the medical device in the assembled condition. The sheath is slidable relative to the shaft in the longitudinal direction to uncover and deploy the medical device. The retainer may be rotatable relative to the shaft to reduce torsional forces in the medical device during delivery and deployment. The retainer may have at least one recess facing the compartment for receiving a strut at an end of a stent of the medical device.
