A self-expanding stent is delivered to an affected site within the human body with a guide wire and hand-manipulable control apparatus. The stent is capable of full expansion along a pre-determined length of its body with the remainder of the overall length conically tapering to a fixed connection point with the guide wire with a flexible joint between the sections. A covering sheath delivers the stent to the affected area with a tip capable of penetrating a blockage or obstruction in a vessel such that the stent can be exposed to begin its expansion. Once the obstruction is opened, the stent can be recaptured or retrieved by pulling it back into the sheath, collapsing the expanded stent with the assistance of the conical portion and flexible joint, and withdrawing the stent and wire completely from the vessel. A rotating motion will cause the conical and cylindrical sections of the stent to separate at the flexible joint.
