An introducer (10) and a delivery assembly (100) for introduction of a prosthesis (5) into a bodily lumen is disclosed. The introducer (10) comprises: a sheath (20) a housing (30) mounted to a distal end of the sheath, the housing having a passage therethrough adapted to receive a delivery assembly a port for introducing flushing fluid, the port communicating with the passage and a liquid absorbing seal (50) for sealably receiving the delivery assembly, the liquid absorbing seal (50) disposed within the housing distally of the port. The delivery assembly comprises: a guide wire catheter a tip mounted to a proximal end of the guide wire catheter a distal delivery member mounted around the guide wire catheter and located distal of the tip and a prosthesis receiving portion between the tip and the distal delivery member. The delivery assembly is slidably mounted through the introducer. Absorption of fluid swells the liquid absorbing seal.
