A loading system for an implantable prosthesis and related loading method

A loading system for a heart valve prosthesis including a radially contractible armature and a prosthetic heart valve coupled to said armature, said armature having at least one radially contractible annular portion, the loading system comprising:

• a gripper that is axially operable along a longitudinal axis (XI) of the loading system from a first axial position (I) to a second axial position (II), wherein in the first axial position (I) the gripper engages the heart valve prosthesis with the armature in a radially expanded condition;
• a first receiver for the heart valve prosthesis, the first receiver being configured for holding at least a first portion of the heart valve prosthesis in a radially contracted condition upon engagement of the first receiver by the heart valve prosthesis, and wherein the gripper is axially displaceable relative to the first receiver;
• a first funnel shaped element surrounding the first receiver, the first funnel shaped element having a first diameter (D1) and a second diameter (D2), the second diameter (D2) being smaller than the first diameter (D1) and being arranged axially closer to the first receiver than the first diameter (D1), and wherein the gripper is axially displaceable relative to the first funnel shaped element;
• and
• a tubular member which is axially fixed relative to said gripper, the tubular member including a holder to which the first receiver is mated, the tubular member including a driver member configured to provide an axial displacement to the gripper so as to displace the heart valve prosthesis axially through the first funnel shaped element from the first diameter (D1) to the second diameter (D2), so as to provide a radial contraction of the armature of the heart valve prosthesis and a fitting of said at least a first portion into said first receiver in a radially contracted condition upon reaching the second axial position (II),
• wherein the receiver, the gripper, and the heart valve prosthesis attached thereto are stored in a jar (J) filled with a preservation solution, the first funnel shaped element being pre-mounted on the first receiver.