Implant loading device and system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for loading an implantable device into a container, comprising:
- pulling an implantable device using a puller element through a funnel-shaped loading tunnel in a loader element thereby gradually contracting the implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel, wherein the puller element is removably attached to the implantable device via a suture; and
automatically releasing the suture after the implantable device is contracted into the compressed state;
wherein a rotator disposed on the puller element is removably attached to the suture; and
wherein automatically releasing the suture after the implantable device is contracted into the compressed state comprises rotation of the rotator thereby causing the suture to detach from the rotator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, methods, and systems are provided for loading an implantable device into a container. One aspect of the loading system contains a loader element with a loading tunnel that is configured to gradually contract an implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for loading an implantable device into a container, comprising:
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pulling an implantable device using a puller element through a funnel-shaped loading tunnel in a loader element thereby gradually contracting the implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel, wherein the puller element is removably attached to the implantable device via a suture; and automatically releasing the suture after the implantable device is contracted into the compressed state; wherein a rotator disposed on the puller element is removably attached to the suture; and wherein automatically releasing the suture after the implantable device is contracted into the compressed state comprises rotation of the rotator thereby causing the suture to detach from the rotator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5)
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4. A method for loading an implantable device into a container, comprising:
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pulling an implantable device using a puller element through a funnel-shaped loading tunnel in a loader element thereby gradually contracting the implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel, wherein the puller element is removably attached to the implantable device via a suture; automatically releasing the suture after the implantable device is contracted into the compressed state; placing a portion of a delivery catheter into the loader element; and pushing the implantable device through the loading tunnel and into the delivery catheter using a plunger.
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6. A method for loading an implantable pulmonary device into a container, comprising:
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pulling an implantable pulmonary device using a puller element through a funnel-shaped loading tunnel in a loader element thereby gradually contracting the implantable pulmonary device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable pulmonary device travels through the loading tunnel, wherein the puller element is removably attached to the implantable pulmonary device; automatically releasing the implantable pulmonary device from the puller element after the implantable pulmonary device is contracted into the into a compressed state; and pushing the implantable pulmonary device through the loading tunnel and into the delivery catheter using a plunger. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for loading an implantable pulmonary device into a container, comprising:
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pulling an implantable pulmonary device using a puller element through a funnel-shaped loading tunnel in a loader element thereby gradually contracting the implantable pulmonary device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable pulmonary device travels through the loading tunnel, wherein the puller element is removably attached to the implantable pulmonary device; automatically releasing the implantable pulmonary device from the puller element after the implantable pulmonary device is contracted into the into a compressed state; wherein a rotator disposed on the puller element is removably attached to a suture; and wherein automatically releasing the implantable pulmonary device from the puller element after the implantable pulmonary device is contracted into the compressed state comprises rotation of the rotator thereby causing the suture to detach from the rotator. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification