Method and apparatus for compressing/loading stent-valves

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11786372-B2
Application number	US-202016802035-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 26, 2020
Priority date	Sep 16, 2013
Publication date	Oct 17, 2023
Grant date	Oct 17, 2023

Abstract

Apparatus ( 40 ) for compressing a transcatheter cardiac stent-valve ( 10 ) comprises: a first compressor stage ( 100 ) including a hollow channel ( 42 ) with a tapered interior surface configured for compressing a stent-valve in response to longitudinal advancement of the stent-valve within the channel; and a second compressor stage ( 102 ) comprising a crimper for compressing a portion of the stent-valve without longitudinal advancement.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A loading tube apparatus for use in compressing and/or loading a stent-valve for a delivery catheter, the loading tube apparatus comprising:
a plurality of separate, discrete segments that when assembled around a portion of the delivery catheter, the segments alone define a tubular shape, wherein all of the plurality of separate, discrete segments have a same longitudinal length; and
at least one retainer surrounding the plurality of segments for retaining the plurality of segments in the tubular shape.

2. The loading tube apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises at least one threaded nut, and a separate supporting overtube.

3. The loading tube apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the at least one threaded nut is securable to a mouth of the supporting overtube.

4. The loading tube apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tubular shape is configured to provide a form fit with respect to a sheath of the delivery catheter.

5. The loading tube apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the sheath is a proximal sheath of the delivery catheter.

6. The loading tube apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an intermediate tube configured to slide over the sheath of the delivery catheter.

7. The loading tube apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the apparatus is configured to translate together in unison with the sheath in a closing motion of said sheath to provide continuous support as the sheath moves over the stent-valve.

8. The loading tube apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an interior support which is fitted to a distal end of the delivery catheter and is configured to apply to the distal end of the delivery catheter a counterforce to balance the force needed for forcibly translating the sheath over the stent-valve.

9. The loading tube apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the delivery catheter comprises multiple sheaths at a containment region of the delivery catheter for accommodating the stent-valve and wherein the multiple sheaths include a distal sheath and a proximal sheath.

10. The loading tube apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the distal sheath covers the attachment portion which attaches a stent component of the stent-valve to a stent receiver of the delivery catheter.

11. A method of loading a stent valve onto a multiple-sheath delivery catheter, the delivery catheter having a distal sheath and a proximal sheath that close over respective portions of the stent-valve from opposite directions, the method comprising:
compressing at least a portion of the stent-valve to engage attachment elements with a stent-holder of the delivery catheter;
closing the distal sheath over a first portion of the stent-valve including the attachment elements;
assembling a loading tube apparatus around at least the proximal sheath, the loading tube apparatus comprising a plurality of separate, discrete segments that alone define a tubular shape and at least one retainer, wherein all of the segments have a same longitudinal length, wherein assembling the loading tube apparatus includes placing the plurality of segments around the proximal sheath to completely cover the proximal sheath, and surrounding the plurality of segments with the retainer to retain the plurality of segments in the tubular shape; and
closing the proximal sheath over a second portion of the stent-valve.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the loading tube apparatus is further assembled around an intermediate tube configured to slide over the proximal sheath and the distal sheath.

13. A system comprising:
a delivery catheter comprising multiple sheaths at a containment region of the delivery catheter for accommodating a stent-valve, wherein the delivery catheter comprises a distal sheath and a proximal sheath; and
the loading tube apparatus according to claim 1 .

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a stent-valve.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one retainer includes an overtube disposable around the plurality of segments and a separate threaded nut securable to a mouth of the overtube.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein closing the proximal sheath includes translating the loading tube apparatus in unison with the proximal sheath.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein closing the proximal sheath includes translating the loading tube apparatus and the intermediate tube in unison with the proximal sheath.

18. The loading tube apparatus of claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of separate, discrete segments is made of a transparent material.

19. The loading tube apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a total length of the at least one retainer is less than the length of the plurality of separate, discrete segments.

20. The loading tube apparatus of claim 1 , comprising only two separate, discrete segments.

Assignees

• Symetis Sa

Inventors

• Mantanus Luc
• Lombardi Fabien
• Simonin Pierre
• Biadillah Youssef
• Hefti Jean-Luc
• Delaloye Stephane

Classifications

• A61F2/2436 Primary

  Deployment by retracting a sheath · CPC title

• A61F2/2418

  Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents · CPC title

• A61F2/9522

  Means for mounting a stent or stent-graft onto or into a placement instrument · CPC title

• A61F2/97

  the outer sleeve being splittable · CPC title

• A61F2220/0008

  Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body · CPC title