Apparatus and method for mounting a stent onto a catheter

摘要

A system for loading a stent onto a catheter is disclosed. The system includes a housing having an internal chamber with a flexible tube extending therethrough. A stent is positioned at about a mid portion of the flexible tube, an the balloon portion of the catheter is inserted into the flexible tube and positioned within the stent. Pressurized fluid is injected into the internal chamber thereby circumferentially compressing the flexible tube and in turn compressing the stent and crimping it onto the balloon portion of the catheter. A balloon folding attachment can be mounted onto an end of the housing. The inner lumen of the attachment has progressively varying cross-sectional shapes that fold the flattened balloon portion of the catheter as it is advanced into the attachment. The folded balloon portion is continually advanced into the attachment into the flexible tube until it is aligned within the stent.