262 or part of the closed loop portion 260 although other gripping arrangements or techniques are possible referring now to fig3 and 32 which are enlarged views of the region labeled u201c xxxi u201d in fig2 the depicted coupler assembly 202 that couples the apparatus 200 to the introducer sheath 20 is shown the coupler assembly 202 can comprise a distal coupler that can be similar or identical to the distal coupler 82 shown in fig7 10 and will therefore not be further described for this embodiment and like elements of the distal coupler 82 will be referred to with the same reference numerals the coupler assembly 202 further comprises a proximal coupler which mates with the distal coupler 82 in the depicted embodiment the proximal coupler is integrally formed as part of the casing 206 as the coupler portion 264 and therefore may alternately be considered part of the implant storage introducer unit 204 rather than the coupler assembly 202 the coupler portion or proximal coupler 264 includes a tubular conduit having a storage portion 266 and a coupling portion 268 as best viewed in the perspective view of fig3 the storage portion 266 joins the saddle like portion 262 of the casing 206 to thereby connect the cavity 252 in which the implant 10 is at least partially stored and the storage portion 266 of the proximal coupler 264 the casing 206 and the proximal coupler 264 do not have to be integrally molded and can be joined in any suitable fashion such as for example an interference fit with an adhesive a snap fit etc the second aperture 258 is formed through a side wall of the storage portion.