Stent crimping device and method of use
First Claim
1. A device for substantially uniform and tight crimping of an intravascular stent loaded onto a portion of a catheter of a catheter assembly by a user, so as to enable the user to apply compressive force thereto to substantially uniformly and tightly crimp the stent onto the catheter assembly, the crimping device comprising:
- a base portion having an intermediate portion and pivoting arm portions pivotally attached to the intermediate portion; and
a loop portion attached to the pivoting arm portions, for use in supporting the stent and catheter portion, the loop portion having a compressible and generally cylindrical opening portion which is substantially uniformly compressible radially inwardly upon the application of force to said pivoting arm portions to substantially uniformly and tightly crimp the stent onto the catheter portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for enabling substantially uniform and tight crimping of an intravascular stent onto a balloon catheter assembly. The device has a base portion having an intermediate portion and pivoting arm portions attached thereto. A loop portion is attached at its end portions to the pivoting handle portions. The loop portion has a compressible and generally cylindrical opening which is substantially uniformly compressible radially inwardly upon pivoting the arm portions downwardly from the intermediate portion. This substantially uniformly and tightly crimps the stent onto the catheter portion which is inserted therein.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for substantially uniform and tight crimping of an intravascular stent loaded onto a portion of a catheter of a catheter assembly by a user, so as to enable the user to apply compressive force thereto to substantially uniformly and tightly crimp the stent onto the catheter assembly, the crimping device comprising:
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a base portion having an intermediate portion and pivoting arm portions pivotally attached to the intermediate portion; and a loop portion attached to the pivoting arm portions, for use in supporting the stent and catheter portion, the loop portion having a compressible and generally cylindrical opening portion which is substantially uniformly compressible radially inwardly upon the application of force to said pivoting arm portions to substantially uniformly and tightly crimp the stent onto the catheter portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of substantially uniformly and tightly crimping an intravascular stent onto a catheter assembly, comprising:
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providing a device comprising a base portion having an intermediate portion and pivoting arm portions attached to the intermediate portion, and a loop portion for use in supporting a portion of the catheter assembly on which the stent may be positioned, the loop portion having a compressible and generally cylindrical opening portion which is substantially uniformly compressible radially inwardly upon the application of force thereto to substantially uniformly and tightly crimp the stent onto the catheter portion, the loop portion having end portions attached to the pivoting handle portions; placing a portion of the catheter assembly, on which the stent is positioned, within the loop portion; pivotally moving the arm portions relative to the intermediate portion to move the end portions of the loop portion in opposite directions thereby reducing the diameter of the generally cylindrical opening portion to apply compressive force to compress the stent radially inwardly, to substantially uniformly and tightly crimp the stent onto the catheter portion; and releasing the compressive force to enable radially outward expansion of the generally cylindrical opening portion to enable the stent and catheter portion to be withdrawn. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification