# US 9,872,755 B2 · Implant loading device and system

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- Number: US 9,872,755 B2
- Document ID: US9872755B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/938,216
- Filed: 2015-11-11
- Published: 2016-03-03
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2010-06-22
- Assignees: Pulmonx Corporation
- Applicants: PulmonX Corporation
- Inventors: Ryan Olivera; Hoang Nguyen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872755B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/0095: {Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants (for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02)}
- A61B 17/12031: {complete occlusion}
- A61B 17/12104: {in an air passage}
- A61B 17/12172: {having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape (methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526)}
- A61F 2/04: Hollow or tubular parts of organs, e.g. bladders, tracheae, bronchi or bile ducts (A61F2/18, A61F2/20 take precedence; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95)
- A61F 2/95: Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
- A61F 2/9525: {using a funnel}
- B65B 1/04: Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- A61B 2017/0053: {Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools}
- A61B 2017/1205: {Introduction devices}
- A61F 2/9522: {Means for mounting a stent or stent-graft onto or into a placement instrument}
- A61F 2002/043: {Bronchi}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)

## Abstract

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for loading an implantable device into a container. One aspect of the loading system contains a loader element with a loading tunnel that is configured to gradually contract an implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for loading an implantable pulmonary device into a container, comprising:
a loading element comprising a funnel-shaped loading tunnel configured to gradually contract an implantable pulmonary device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable pulmonary device travels through the funnel-shaped loading tunnel; and
a puller element that is removably attached to the implantable pulmonary device, wherein the puller element pulls the implantable pulmonary device through the funnel-shaped loading tunnel;
wherein the puller element automatically releases the implantable pulmonary device after the implantable pulmonary device contracts into the compressed state.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a plunger element, wherein the plunger element comprises an elongated portion that is configured to push the implantable pulmonary device through the funnel-shaped loading tunnel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the plunger element is configured to push the implantable pulmonary device into a delivery catheter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the funnel-shaped loading tunnel further defines an internal transfer cavity that communicates with the funnel-shaped loading cavity, the transfer cavity sized to receive the implantable device from the funnel-shaped loading cavity and retain the implantable pulmonary device in the compressed state.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the funnel-shaped loading tunnel further defines a container cavity that communicates with the transfer cavity, the container cavity sized to receive a container that receives the implantable pulmonary device in the compressed state.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the container is a delivery catheter that is configured to deliver the implantable pulmonary device to a lung region.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a tension element that is configured to communicate a force to the funnel-shaped loading tunnel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a container locking element that is configured to secure and align the container with the loading element.