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 distal opening and a second end attached to the base, the first end of each pushing arm disposed a first distance from the central axis, the second end of each pushing arm disposed a second distance from the central axis, the second distance greater than the first distance.

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, the second end of each pushing arm disposed a second distance from the central axis, the second distance greater than the first distance;
• and
• removing the delivery catheter from the loading apparatus.