Prosthesis compressing arrangement

摘要

A prosthesis is compressed in a device by being wrapped in a flexible sheet inside a cartridge, the opposite edges of the sheet being led out through a longitudinal slit in the cartridge and attached respectively to the outer surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of a surrounding shell; subsequent relative rotation of the shell pulls the sheet outwardly of the cartridge causing compression of the prosthesis. Stop projections are provided to limit the rotation to less than one complete revolution. End pieces of the device have tubes aligned with the prosthesis when compressed, and a pusher rod is pushed through the tubes to push the prosthesis into an introducer sheath. The or each end piece may incorporate a ratchet mechanism to prevent rotation in the wrong direction.

主权项

1. A device for compressing a prosthesis comprising a generally cylindrical housing having a longitudinal axis and coupling first and second parts which are rotatable relative to each other about said axis, and at least one flexible member arranged within the rotatable parts and defining a space for accommodating an expanded prosthesis, respective parts of the expanded member being attached to the first and second relatively rotatable parts such that, upon relative rotation thereof, the size of the space is reduced so as to be capable of compressing the prosthesis.