METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING/LOADING STENT-VALVES

摘要

Apparatus (40) for compressing a transcatheter cardiac stent-valve (10). The apparatus 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 hollow channel. The apparatus further comprises a driver (46) coupled to the hollow channel (42) by a screw threaded connection (64). The apparatus is configured for generating in response to rotation of the driver, a longitudinal driving force for advancing the stent-valve.