Devices and methods for crimping a medical device

A system for crimping a prosthetic valve comprising:

• a funnel having a first funnel diameter, a tapered funnel region, and a second funnel diameter smaller than the first funnel diameter;
• a retaining tube having a first tube diameter at a proximal end and a second tube diameter at a distal end, the second tube diameter smaller than the first tube diameter, and the first tube diameter smaller than the second funnel diameter;
• and
• a delivery device including:
• a distal tip,
• an inner shaft, and
• an outer sheath having a sheath diameter smaller than the second tube diameter;
• wherein the funnel is configured to provide a first crimping of the prosthetic valve, the retaining tube is configured to provide a second crimping of the prosthetic valve that is smaller than the first crimping, and the outer sheath is configured to provide a third crimping of the prosthetic valve that is smaller than the second crimping.

A method for crimping a prosthetic valve comprising:

• advancing the prosthetic valve into a funnel to provide a first crimping of the prosthetic valve, the funnel having a first funnel diameter, a tapered funnel region, and a second funnel diameter smaller than the first funnel diameter;
• arranging the prosthetic valve over a landing zone of an inner shaft of a delivery device;
• advancing the prosthetic valve into a retaining tube to provide a second crimping of the prosthetic valve, the retaining tube having a first tube diameter at a proximal end and a second tube diameter at a distal end, the second tube diameter smaller than the first tube diameter, and the first tube diameter smaller than the second funnel diameter;
• removing the funnel from around the prosthetic valve;
• advancing the prosthetic valve into an outer sheath of the delivery device to provide a third crimping of the prosthetic valve, the outer sheath having asheath diameter smaller than the second tube diameter;
• and
• removing the retaining tube from around the prosthetic valve.