Patent ID: 9044352
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: A61F,B29C,B29D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for crimping a polymer scaffold to a balloon using a crimping device that has a plurality of movable blades, each blade having a tip, the tips arranged to collectively form an iris about a rotational axis thereof, the iris defining a crimp aperture about which the movable blades are disposed, a first and second sheet of polymer film extending between a first and second pair of blades such that a portion of the first and second sheets extends across the aperture, the method including the steps of: placing the scaffold on the balloon; disposing the scaffold and balloon in the aperture such that the scaffold and balloon are located between the first and second sheet portions; inflating the balloon; and displacing the plurality of movable blades from a first diameter to a second diameter; wherein a balloon pressure is adjusted as a diameter of the scaffold is reduced by the blades such that a radially directed outward pressure applied on the scaffold by the balloon supports the scaffold to avoid or compensate for irregular bending or twisting of scaffold structure.