Stent crimper
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for compressing a stent onto a catheter, the stent having a first end and a second end and a diameter, the apparatus comprising aretaining means for maintaining the position of the stent on the catheter;
- a die for applying a uniform radial inward force to at least a portion of the stent, the die having a bore, the bore having a first end and a second end, the first end of the bore having a diameter larger than the diameter of the stent, the second end of the bore having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the stent; and
a mounting apparatus comprising a rail upon which the die is slidably mounted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for crimping a stent to a catheter as well as a method for crimping a stent to a catheter are disclosed in several embodiments. The apparatus in its various embodiments involves the application of a uniform radially inward force to a compressible tube in which the stent and catheter are situated.
325 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for compressing a stent onto a catheter, the stent having a first end and a second end and a diameter, the apparatus comprising a
retaining means for maintaining the position of the stent on the catheter; -
a die for applying a uniform radial inward force to at least a portion of the stent, the die having a bore, the bore having a first end and a second end, the first end of the bore having a diameter larger than the diameter of the stent, the second end of the bore having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the stent; and a mounting apparatus comprising a rail upon which the die is slidably mounted. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus for compressing a stent onto a catheter, the stent having a first end and a second end and a diameter, the apparatus comprising a
retaining means for maintaining the position of the stent on the catheter; -
a die for applying a uniform radial inward force to at least a portion of the stent, the die having a bore, the bore having a first end and a second end, the first end of the bore having a diameter larger than the diameter of the stent, the second end of the bore having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the stent; and a mounting apparatus comprising at least one rod upon which the die is slidably mounted. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device for crimping a stent to a catheter, the stent having a diameter prior to crimping, comprising:
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a tubular plunger having a first end and a second end, the plunger having an inner diameter exceeding the diameter of the stent prior to crimping; a deformable inner tube for receiving the stent and catheter from the plunger, the inner tube fixedly attached to the second end of the tubular plunger, the deformable inner tube having a first end and a second end; an outer tube, the outer tube having a first and a second end, the outer tube notched at the second end so as to have a plurality of oppositely situated wall sections at the second end, the second end of the plunger slidably mounted in the first end of the outer tube and the deformable inner tube residing within the outer tube; a die slidably mounted on the outer tube, the die comprising an outer housing and an inner housing, the outer housing in communication with the inner housing, the inner housing having an inner bore therethrough, the inner bore having a circular cross-section at every point along the length of the inner bore, the bore characterized by a minimum diameter, the diameter of the stent prior to crimping exceeding the minimum diameter of the bore, a portion of the inner tube traversing the bore, the die further having one or more slots therethrough between the inner housing and the outer housing, the slots arranged so as to receive the plurality of oppositely situated wall sections in sliding engagement; and an end portion, the end portion residing at the second end of the outer tube, the end portion optionally having a hole therein from which the catheter may emanate;
whereby the stent is crimped to the catheter by inserting the stent and catheter through the plunger and into the inner tube, and sliding the die along the outer tube such that the die passes over the stent and applies a uniform radial inward force to the stent. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification