Method and apparatus for compressing/loading stent-valves

Inventors: Jacques Essinger (St-Prex, CH); Stephane Delaloye (Bulach, CH); Jean-Luc Hefti (Cheaseaux-Noreaz, CH); Luc Mantanus (Lausanne, CH); Michael Paris (Prilly, CH)

Assignee: Symetis SA

A61F2/0095 A61F2/2418 A61F2/2427 A61F2/95 A61F2/9525 A61M25/002 A61B2050/005 A61B2050/3008 A61B2050/3014 A61F2/2412 A61F2/2436 A61F2002/9505 A61F2/9522 A61F2/958 A61F2250/0039

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12667455
App. No.: 18/459,743
Granted: Jun 30, 2026
Kind: B2

External Links

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Abstract

Apparatus ( 40 ) for compressing a transcatheter cardiac stent-valve ( 10 ) comprises: a hollow channel ( 42 ) having an interior surface ( 50 ) shaped for progressively compressing the stent-valve in response to longitudinal advancement of the stent-valve within the channel; a driver ( 46 ) threadedly engaged on the exterior of the channel for generating a longitudinal driving force in response to rotation; a mover ( 44 ) having limbs ( 56 ) that project through slots ( 58 ) in the channel wall to transmit the driving force to the stent-valve within the channel; and a channel extension ( 48 ) removably attachable at the exit ( 54 ) to provide a generally cylindrical containment bore ( 66 ).

Claims (20)

1 . A method of preparing a stent-valve and a delivery catheter for use, the delivery catheter having a stent-valve containment region and a handle, the method comprising:

(a) providing a closed packaging containing the delivery catheter, the packaging including a base supporting the delivery catheter in a storage position, the base having only a single receiving area configured for holding the delivery catheter, the single receiving area defining a liquid-tight trough configured for receiving the entire delivery catheter, wherein the trough extends from a first portion configured to hold the stent-valve containment region to a second portion having an inner surface defining a clearance configured to allow a user to manually grip the handle while the delivery catheter is disposed within the trough;

(b) opening the closed packaging;

(d) loading the stent-valve into the stent-valve containment region of the delivery catheter while at least the containment region is immersed in the liquid in the trough.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is saline, optionally wherein the liquid is at about room temperature.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the quantity of liquid is selected as one or more from: not more than 4 litres; not more than 3.5 litres; not more than 3.25 litres; not more than 3 litres; at least 1 litre; at least 2 litres.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, after step (d), a step of removing trapped air from the delivery catheter.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein during step (d), the delivery catheter is positioned with a longitudinal axis generally parallel to a plane of the base, and/or with a longitudinal axis generally horizontal.

6 . A method of preparing a stent-valve and a delivery catheter for use, the delivery catheter having a stent-valve containment region and a handle, the method comprising:

(a) providing a closed packaging containing the delivery catheter, the packaging including a base supporting the delivery catheter in a storage position, the base having a liquid-tight trough configured for receiving the entire delivery catheter, wherein the trough extends from a first portion configured to hold the stent-valve containment region to a second portion having an inner surface defining a clearance configured to allow a user to manually grip the handle while the delivery catheter is disposed within the trough, wherein the delivery catheter is disposed within the liquid-tight trough when in the storage position;

(b) opening the closed packaging;

(d) loading the stent-valve into the stent-valve containment region of the delivery catheter while at least the containment region is immersed in the liquid in the trough;

wherein all of steps (a) through (d) occur while the delivery catheter is disposed within the liquid-tight trough.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the base includes only a single receiving area configured for holding the delivery catheter, the single receiving area defining a liquid-tight trough.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the liquid is saline, optionally wherein the liquid is at about room temperature.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the quantity of liquid is selected as one or more from: not more than 4 litres; not more than 3.5 litres; not more than 3.25 litres; not more than 3 litres; at least 1 litre; at least 2 litres.

10 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising, after step (d), a step of removing trapped air from the delivery catheter.

11 . The method of claim 6 , wherein during step (d), the delivery catheter is positioned with a longitudinal axis generally parallel to a plane of the base, and/or with a longitudinal axis generally horizontal.