Method and apparatus for contracting, loading or crimping self-expanding and balloon expandable stent devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for reducing in size a medical device comprising:
- at least three coupled movable blades disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied, the aperture capable of being sized to contain the medical device, each blade in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture, wherein each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on a radial line of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along the radial line of the reference circle on movement of the blade.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.
99 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for reducing in size a medical device comprising:
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at least three coupled movable blades disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied, the aperture capable of being sized to contain the medical device, each blade in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture, wherein each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on a radial line of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along the radial line of the reference circle on movement of the blade. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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12. An apparatus for applying a radial inward force to a medical device comprising:
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at least three coupled movable blades disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied, the aperture capable of being sized to contain the medical device, each blade in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture, wherein each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for crimping a medical device comprising:
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at least three coupled movable blades disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied, the aperture capable of being sized to contain the medical device, each blade in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture, wherein each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.
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16. A method of manipulating a medical device comprising the steps of:
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providing a medical device;
providing at least three blades capable of applying a radial inward force, the blades disposed about a reference circle to form a shrinkable aperture;
placing the medical device into the shrinkable aperture;
simultaneously moving the blades inward to apply a radial inward force to the medical device;
wherein the blades are constructed and arranged such that each blade has a single point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) is moved along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of molding a balloon comprising the steps of:
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providing a balloon preform;
providing at least three movable blades disposed about a reference tube to form a shrinkable tubular aperture, wherein the blades are constructed and arranged such that each blade has a single line which a) lies on the surface of the reference tube prior to movement of the blade, and b) is moved along a radial plane of the reference tube on movement of the blade;
placing the balloon preform into the shrinkable aperture;
providing an inflation fluid; and
inflating the balloon preform so that the preform contacts the blades. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification