Patent ID: 11857441
Assignee: 4C MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A loading device for collapsing a collapsible stent in preparation for delivery and implantation into a body, the loading device comprising:
a proximal decreasing diameter section comprising a conical outer diameter and further defining a lumen with a conical inner diameter smaller than the conical outer diameter and smoothly transitioning and ranging from a maximum diameter at a proximal end to a minimum diameter at a distal end of the proximal decreasing diameter section;
a constant diameter section connected to, or integrated with, the proximal decreasing diameter section at the distal end of the proximal decreasing diameter section and comprising an outer diameter and further defining a lumen with an inner diameter that is substantially constant and substantially equal to the minimum diameter of the proximal decreasing diameter section, wherein the lumen of the constant diameter section extends from the distal end of the proximal decreasing diameter section to a distal end of the constant diameter section;
a sheath comprising a lumen extending lengthwise therethrough and operatively connected to, and extending within, the lumen of the constant diameter section, the sheath comprising an outer diameter that is the same as, or smaller than, the minimum diameter of the proximal decreasing diameter section, wherein the sheath extends all the way through the lumen defined by the constant diameter section; and
liquid disposed within the lumen of the proximal decreasing diameter section, the lumen of the constant diameter section and/or the lumen of the sheath;
wherein the loading device is configured to collapse the collapsible stent and to deliver the collapsed stent into the lumen of the sheath;
wherein the sheath comprises:
a planar sheet that is adaptable to define a tubular form with an outer diameter that enables translation and/or rotation within the lumen of the constant diameter section; and
a longitudinal slot extending along an entire length of the sheath when in the tubular form; and

wherein the constant diameter section comprises a male member adapted to engage with, and slide within, the longitudinal slot when the sheath is translated within the lumen of the constant diameter section.