Apparatus and method for delivering and deploying an intravascular device into the vessel including an outer (3) and inner (5) tube that are axially linked by a housing structure (8) at the proximal end of the catheter, and a retractable sleeve structure (2) having a middle tube (4) and sleeve tip (16). The sleeve tip (16) is sealed to the inner tube (5) at the distal end, and continuously extends into the middle tube (4). At the proximal end of the sleeve structure (2), the middle tube (4) is sealed to either the housing structure (8) or to a slideable proximal ring (7), forming a sealed chamber (15) between the inner tube (5) and the sleeve structure (2). A radial space is formed between the sleeve tip (16) and the inner tube (5) optimized for intravascular device placement. During retraction of the sleeve structure (2), the fold of the sleeve tip (16) peels away from the device, which expands to its deployed state while minimizing axial forces and friction.
