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Publication Number
US-10940029-B2
Publication Date
2021-03-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A crimper device can facilitate sheathing of a stent frame for vascular delivery. The device can include first and second components that rotate relative to each other to drive radial movement of one or more compression members of the device. The one or more compression members can direct and balance a compressive force within an aperture of the device. In use, the stent frame can be positioned within the aperture and be compacted by actuation of the compression members.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a handheld stent crimper device that collapses a stent frame by inserting the stent frame into a compression aperture and collapsing the compression aperture to compress the stent frame. The first end of the stent frame abuts a radial edge portion of a compression member to longitudinally engage the stent frame within the compression aperture, and the collapsing and engagement cooperate to compact the stent frame for sheathing and delivery.
The crimper device includes rotating first and second components that maintain coaxial alignment through an alignment mechanism and convert relative rotation into radial translation of multiple compression members. By rotating the first component and the second component relative to each other, engagement arms slide into engagement slots and contact surfaces converge radially with respect to the compression aperture, thereby radially compressing the stent frame while a lip portion applies force to the stent frame.
The invention also includes mechanisms to maintain the collapsed configuration and to manage force transfer during coupling to a delivery assembly. A locking mechanism maintains the stent frame in a compressed configuration without requiring user-applied rotational force, loading into a delivery assembly can be performed while the first and second components are locked, and an axial engagement mechanism longitudinally engages the stent frame to couple a second end of the stent frame to the delivery assembly.
Dampening and limiter surfaces resist rotation during high-force collapse to prevent stent damage. Across the disclosed methods, the stent frame is compacted by relative rotation between first and second components that drives compression members into radial convergence within the compression aperture.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three distinct methods of collapsing a stent frame using a crimper device with a compression aperture and rotating components. Across the independent claims, the inventive focus is on longitudinal engagement with a radial edge portion and longitudinal force coupling to delivery, rotation about a central axis with engagement arms sliding into engagement slots and lip portion force application, and circumferential rotation with radially converging compression members.
Longitudinal engagement to couple second end to delivery assembly
Inserting a stent frame, having first and second ends, into a compression aperture of a crimper device; abutting the first end of the stent frame against a radial edge portion of a compression member to longitudinally engage the stent frame within the compression aperture; collapsing the compression aperture to compress the stent frame; and exerting a longitudinal force against the first end of the stent frame to couple the second end of the stent frame to a delivery assembly.
Rotation about compression axis with sliding engagement arms and lip portion force
Inserting a stent frame into a compression aperture of a crimper device, the compression aperture having a longitudinally oriented central axis; rotating, about the longitudinally oriented central axis of the compression aperture, a first component and a second component of the crimper device relative to each other; sliding a plurality of engagement arms into a plurality of engagement slots; converging a plurality of contact surfaces radially with respect to the compression aperture; compressing the stent frame radially; and applying a force to the stent frame with a lip portion.
Circumferential rotation translating to radially converging compression members
Inserting a stent frame into a compression aperture of a crimper device; circumferentially rotating a first component and a second component of the crimper device relative to each other; circumferentially sliding a plurality of engagement arms within a plurality of corresponding engagement slots; radially converging the plurality of compression members; and radially compressing the stent frame via the converging of the plurality of compression members.
Across the independent claims, the methods collapse a stent frame by inserting it into a compression aperture and using relative rotation between first and second components to drive compression members into radial convergence. Force application includes longitudinal engagement and longitudinal force coupling to a delivery assembly, and radial force application using a lip portion.
Stated Advantages
Maintains a stent frame in a compressed configuration without requiring a user-applied rotational force.
Resists rotation during high-force collapse to prevent stent damage.
Couples a second end of the stent frame to a delivery assembly.
Documented Applications
Compacts a stent frame for sheathing and delivery by coupling the compressed stent frame to a delivery assembly.
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