Apparatus and method for loading a stent on a catheter

Abstract

Abstract A stent positioning apparatus (30) and method are provided for the attachment of a stent (20) to a balloon (26) to be used in the treatment of stenosis, such as coronary angioplasty. In one preferred embodiment, a first generally cylindrical member (32) has a radially deformable wall defining a channel (46) within which the stent and balloon assembly (24) are inserted. A second generally cylindrical member (34) has an opening sufficient to receive the first member (32) with the assembly (24) therein. The second member (34) is then slid longitudinally over the deformable wall of the first member (32) causing nonuniform depressions to be formed in the inner diameter of the stent (20), thus crimping the stent (20) onto the balloon (26). Thus, the stent (20) is attached to the balloon (26) without damage and without risk of the stent (20) falling off the balloon (26) prematurely.

Inventors

• 👤 Celso J. Bagaoisan
• 👤 Gholam-Reza Zadno-Azizi
• 👤 Jeffrey F. Field

Bibliographic Details