Methods for Improving Stent Retention on a Balloon Catheter

摘要

A method of crimping a stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly is provided. A polymeric stent is disposed over a balloon in an inflated configuration. The stent is crimped over the inflated balloon to a reduced crimped configuration so that the stent is secured onto the balloon. The balloon wall membrane is wedged or pinched between the strut elements of the stent for increasing the retention of the stent on the balloon.

主权项

1. A method of crimping a stent onto a balloon of a stent delivery catheter, the method comprising:
providing a crimping device; positioning a stent over a balloon of a catheter assembly;
wherein the stent includes:a first end portion including a plurality of stent struts with gaps defined therebetween;a second end portion including a plurality of stent struts with gaps defined therebetween; andan intermediate portion including a plurality of stent struts with gaps defined therebetween; placing the stent and the balloon of the catheter assembly within the crimping device; expanding the balloon to an inflation pressure of about 30 psi subsequent to positioning the stent over the balloon; applying a radially compressive force to the stent to crimp the stent onto the balloon while the balloon is inflated to an inflation pressure of about 30 psi; releasing the pressure from the balloon while the radially compressive force remains applied to the stent; and releasing the radially compressive force from the stent after the pressure is released from the balloon; wherein upon conclusion of crimping the stent, a wall or membrane of the balloon is pinched between the stent struts along selected portions of the stent.