Method for loading a medical device into a delivery system

A process for loading a medical device into a delivery system, the process comprising:

• applying a force to a medical device comprising a shape memory material to obtain a delivery configuration of the medical device, the medical device being at a first temperature within an R-phase temperature range of the shape memory material during the applying;
• cooling the medical device in the delivery configuration to a second temperature at or below a martensite finish temperature of the shape memory material;
• removing the force from the medical device following the cooling;
• loading the medical device into a delivery system, wherein the medical device substantially maintains the delivery configuration during loading.

A process for a loading a stent into a delivery system, the process comprising:

• cooling a stent comprising a shape memory material from a temperature at or above an austenite finish temperature of the shape memory material to an initial temperature at or below a martensite finish temperature of the shape memory material;
• warming the stent from the initial temperature to a first temperature at or above an R′-phase start temperature and below an austenite start temperature of the shape memory material;
• applying a force to the stent to obtain a compressed configuration of the stent, the stent being at the first temperature during the applying;
• cooling the stent in the compressed configuration to a second temperature at or below the martensite finish temperature;
• removing the force from the stent after the cooling in the compressed configuration;
• and
• loading the stent into a delivery system after removing the force, wherein the stent substantially maintains the compressed configuration during loading.