Storage devices, loading devices, delivery systems, kits, and associated methods

A kit comprising:

• an implantable medical device delivery system comprising:
• a sheath having a sheath main body defining a sheath lumen;
• an elongate member disposed within the sheath lumen;
• and
• a tip attached to the elongate member;
• a loading member, the loading member having a portion that mates with the tip;
• and
• an implantable medical device disposed within the loading member.

A kit comprising:

• an implantable medical device delivery system comprising:
• a sheath having a sheath main body defining a sheath lumen;
• an elongate member disposed within the sheath lumen, the elongate member having an elongate member first end and an elongate member second end;
• and
• a tip attached to the elongate member and disposed on the elongate member second end, the tip having a tip first end, a tip second end, and a tip main body, the tip main body defining a tip shoulder and a tip surface, the tip shoulder defined between the tip first end and the tip second end, the tip surface extending from the tip shoulder toward the tip second end;
• a loading member, the loading member having a portion that mates with the tip main body rotationally fixing the tip main body relative to the loading member;
• and
• an implantable medical device disposed within the loading member.

A method of loading an implantable medical device onto a delivery system comprising:

• positioning an implantable medical device within a loading member;
• positioning a portion of an elongate member of a delivery system within the loading member, the delivery system including the elongate member, a sheath, and a tip, the elongate member partially disposed within the sheath, the tip attached to the elongate member;
• orienting the tip relative to the implantable medical device and the loading member;
• collapsing the implantable medical device onto the delivery system;
• applying a force on the sheath while maintaining the position of the elongate member until the sheath contacts the loading member;
• applying an axial force on the elongate member directed away from the loading member while maintaining the position of the sheath such that the elongate member is withdrawn from the loading member and the implantable medical device is advanced into the sheath;
• and
• removing the delivery system from the loading member.