The present invention is directed to implantable medical device assemblies. The
assemblies are primarily used to introduce and deposit implantable medical devices
in the vasculatures of implant recipients. The principle implantable medical device
used in the assembly is an expandable element in the form of an endovascular device.
The expandable element is maintained in a compacted configuration during introduction
of the device into the vasculature with a confinement means. The expandable element
is released from the confinement means at an implantation site with a control line.
The control line has high tensile strength, high modulus, structural rigidity,
and low compressibility. These features of the control line provide a practitioner
with tactile feedback of the release of the expandable element from the confinement
means. The tactile feedback is present during the entire deployment of the expandable
element. The tactile feedback enables the practitioner to better track and control
deployment of the expandable element at an implantation site.