US 8,747,458 B2 · Stent loading tool and method for use thereof

Abstract

A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the stent-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A loading system for loading a valve prosthesis into a delivery catheter, the loading system comprising:

a loading tool comprising a loading tool connection member, wherein the loading tool connection member comprises a first plurality of outwardly biased prongs, each prong comprising a radially outward facing notch;
a valve prosthesis comprising valve prosthesis connection members configured to removably engage with a respective radially outward facing notch of one of the first plurality of outwardly biased prongs;
and
a crimping tool comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the diameter of the distal end is greater than the diameter of the proximal end,
wherein the loading tool is configured to automatically disengage from the valve prosthesis when the valve prosthesis is unloaded from a delivery catheter, and
wherein the loading tool is configured to crimp the valve prosthesis and load the valve prosthesis into a delivery catheter when the valve prosthesis is drawn from the distal end of the crimping tool to the proximal end of the crimping tool.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stent loading tool and method for use thereof

Life of this patent

Stent loading tool and method for use thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16