Stent loading device for a balloon catheter
First Claim
1. A device for loading a stent onto a balloon catheter comprising:
- (a) a proximal component having an orifice with a gradually tapering portion sized and configured to be smaller in diameter than the diameter of said stent prior to loading and passing therethrough, and a first pulling means for facilitating movement of said proximal component;
(b) a distal component having a tube secured thereto and extending therefrom and into said orifice, said tube having an original diameter sized to hold a tip of a balloon catheter within a stent, and second pulling means for facilitating relative movement of said distal component with respect to said proximal component, such that movement of said proximal component with respect to said distal component causes said tube, the stent and the tip of a balloon catheter to pass through said gradually tapering portion of said orifice thereby crimping the stent onto the tip of said balloon catheter.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for loading a medical stent on a balloon catheter. A tube, preferable pre-installed with a stent, is secured to one component having a pulling knob. The tube with stent extends into the bore of a second component, also having a pulling knob. The bore of the second component is conical and reduces down in the direction of the first component. For intended use, the preselected balloon catheter is inserted within the confines of the lumen of the tube (which places it within the center of the stent). Then, the two knobs are pulled apart. The force of the pull causes the tube, with the stent around the catheter within it, to pass through the decreasing bore, thereby loading and compressing the stent onto the balloon catheter. The tube serves as the vehicle to carry the balloon catheter and stent through the bore for loading the stent onto the balloon catheter. The tube can be Teflon coated to facilitate the pulling and stent loading or, alternatively, the tube can be elastic and/or plastic.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for loading a stent onto a balloon catheter comprising:
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(a) a proximal component having an orifice with a gradually tapering portion sized and configured to be smaller in diameter than the diameter of said stent prior to loading and passing therethrough, and a first pulling means for facilitating movement of said proximal component; (b) a distal component having a tube secured thereto and extending therefrom and into said orifice, said tube having an original diameter sized to hold a tip of a balloon catheter within a stent, and second pulling means for facilitating relative movement of said distal component with respect to said proximal component, such that movement of said proximal component with respect to said distal component causes said tube, the stent and the tip of a balloon catheter to pass through said gradually tapering portion of said orifice thereby crimping the stent onto the tip of said balloon catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of loading a stent onto a balloon catheter comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a proximal component with an orifice passing therethrough, (b) providing a distal component with a tube secured thereto, said tube extending therefrom and having a first end extending into said orifice; (c) placing a stent within said first end of said tube; (d) placing a balloon catheter within said stent; and (e) moving said proximal component with respect to said distal component such that said tube, stent and said balloon catheter are pulled through said orifice crimping said stent to said balloon catheter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification