Assembly and method for loading a self-expanding collapsible heart valve

A device for collapsing a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve, comprising:

• a compression member having a first open end with a first diameter, a second open end with a second diameter less than the first diameter, and a tapered inner wall decreasing uniformly in diameter between the first open end and the second open end, the tapered inner wall defining an open space adapted to receive the valve, the compression member having a fixed length between the first open end and the second open end;
• and
• a pusher member having a base adapted to engage an end of the valve, the pusher member and the compression member being movable relative to one another between an initial position in which the base of the pusher member is relatively far from the first open end of the compression member and an operative position in which the base of the pusher member is relatively close to the first open end of the compression member, wherein movement of the pusher member and the compression member from the initial position to the operative position pushes the valve through the open space such that the valve is radially compressed by the tapered inner wall of the compression member as the valve advances through the open space.