METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INVERTING A HOLLOW SLEEVE AND THEREAFTER REVERTING AN INVERTED HOLLOW SLEEVE

Apparatus for inverting an elongated flexible tubular sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the apparatus comprising: a hollow tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and an elongated rod movably disposed within the central lumen of the hollow tube, the elongated rod having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the elongated rod comprises a sleeve plug for securing a distal end of an elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube; wherein, when the elongated flexible tubular sleeve is disposed over the hollow tube, (i) the sleeve plug of the elongated rod is configured to be moved proximally to clamp the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube, and (ii) the sleeve plug of the elongated rod is configured to be moved distally to release the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve from the distal end of the hollow tube;and further wherein when the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve is clamped to the distal end of the hollow tube, the proximal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve can be pulled toward the distal end of the hollow tube to invert the elongated flexible tubular sleeve.