Loading apparatus and system for expandable intraluminal medical devices

A medical device loading system comprising:

• a loading apparatus comprising a main body having a first opening, a second opening, and a passageway extending between the first and second openings, the passageway defining a first chamber, a second chamber, and a transition chamber disposed between the first and second chambers and defining a taper;
• a delivery catheter comprising an outer tubular member defining a sheath lumen and a distal tip member comprising an elongate cannula and a distal tip body, the distal tip body adapted to pass through the loading apparatus;
• and
• a pusher having central axis, a base, and between two and five pushing arms, each pushing arm comprising an elongate member having a first end configured to be inserted into the second opening and a second end attached to the base, the first end of each pushing arm disposed a first distance from the central axis when free of the loading apparatus and external forces, the second end of each pushing arm disposed a second distance from the central axis when free of the loading apparatus, the second distance greater than the first distance such that the entire second end is disposed further from the central axis than the first end.

A method of loading an expandable intraluminal medical device into a delivery catheter, said method comprising:

• placing said expandable intraluminal medical device into a passageway defined by a loading apparatus such that said expandable intraluminal medical device is disposed within the passageway, the loading apparatus having a lengthwise axis and comprising a main body having a first opening, a second opening, and the passageway, the passageway extending between the first and second openings, the passageway defining a first chamber, a second chamber, and a transition chamber disposed between the first and second chambers and defining a taper;
• advancing a distal portion of a medical device delivery catheter into the first chamber of the loading apparatus, the medical device delivery catheter comprising an outer tubular member defining a sheath lumen and a distal tip member comprising an elongate cannula and a distal tip body, the distal tip body adapted to pass through the loading apparatus;
• pushing said expandable intraluminal medical device along the lengthwise axis of the loading apparatus and toward the outer tubular member using pushing arms of a pusher, the pusher having central axis, a base, and between two and five pushing arms, each pushing arm comprising an elongate member having a first end disposed within the passageway defined by the loading apparatus and a second end attached to the base, the first end of each pushing arm disposed a first distance from the central axis when free of the loading apparatus and external forces, the second end of each pushing arm disposed a second distance from the central axis when free of the loading apparatus, the second distance greater than the first distance such that the entire second end is disposed further from the central axis than the first end;
• and
• removing the delivery catheter from the loading apparatus.