Alignment device for a prosthetic implant

A method comprising:

• placing a prosthetic valve in a radially expanded configuration over a support surface of a tapered support portion of an alignment device and rotationally aligning the prosthetic valve on the support surface such that commissures of the prosthetic valve are axially aligned with alignment members of the alignment device, wherein the support portion extends from a proximal end of a coupling portion of the alignment device, wherein the alignment members extend axially outward from the proximal end of the coupling portion, over the support portion, and to the support surface, and wherein the coupling portion includes a coupling member that extends axially outward from a distal end of the coupling portion toward the support portion;
• inserting the prosthetic valve placed over the support surface into a channel of a crimping device, the channel being surrounded by a plurality of pressing surfaces of the crimping device;
• inserting the coupling member into a complementary recess in a distal face of the crimping device such that the alignment device is held in a specified circumferential orientation relative to the crimping device;
• and
• radially compressing the prosthetic valve placed within the channel by actuating the crimping device to move the pressing surfaces radially inwardly,
• wherein the radially compressing causes the alignment members to deflect radially inward and the alignment device to be moved axially out of and away from the prosthetic valve.

An alignment device for a prosthetic heart valve, comprising:

• a coupling portion comprising:
• a cylindrical wall with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end comprises an axial wall, and wherein a plurality of indentations is disposed in a radially inward facing surface of the axial wall;
• a coupling member extending axially from the first end toward the second end of the cylindrical wall, wherein the coupling member is configured to couple with a crimping device;
• and
• one or more axially extending alignment members, each alignment member extending axially outward from the second end of the cylindrical wall;
• a support portion that tapers from a wider, first end to a narrower, second end, wherein the support portion comprises:
• an outward facing support surface that is configured to receive the prosthetic heart valve thereon, wherein the one or more axially extending alignment members extend over the support portion and to the support surface, each alignment member comprising a free end configured to abut an end of the prosthetic heart valve and be axially aligned with a commissure of the prosthetic heart valve when the prosthetic heart valve is arranged on the support surface;
• and
• a plurality of tabs extending axially away from the first end of the support portion, wherein the plurality of tabs is configured to couple to the plurality of indentations such that the coupling portion and support portion are coupled to one another;
• and
• a central channel extending through the coupling portion and the support portion, the central channel configured to receive a delivery apparatus for the prosthetic heart valve therethrough.