METHOD OF LOADING EXPANDABLE MEDICAL DEVICE IN A LOW VAPOR ENVIRONMENT

摘要

A method (112) of loading an expandable medical device in a low vapor environment. The method includes placing the device in a loading chamber (114) at, for example, room temperature and removing (116) from the chamber any undesirable contaminants such as water vapor that can form condensation on the device when the device is cooled for compression into a transfer tube or delivery catheter. The temperature in the chamber is lowered (118) to a temperature below the transition temperature (martensitic finish) of the device. The device is compressed (120) below its' transition temperature and loaded (122) into a delivery or transfer device.