Method and apparatus for contracting, loading or crimping self-expanding and balloon expandable stent devices
US6823576B2 · kind B2 · utility
72Cited by
96References
32Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53996
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.