Patent ID: 8042251
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of crimping a stent onto a balloon of a balloon catheter, comprising: providing a crimping apparatus including a plurality of crimping elements forming a crimping lumen having a diameter, wherein the plurality of crimping elements are actuatable to alter the diameter of the crimping lumen; providing a balloon catheter including an elongate shaft and an inflation balloon secured to a distal region of the elongate shaft; providing a stent; positioning the stent around the inflation balloon of the balloon catheter; situating the stent and the inflation balloon of the balloon catheter within the crimping lumen; crimping the stent onto the inflation balloon of the balloon catheter with the crimping apparatus; heating the inflation balloon to a temperature greater than 40° C. while crimping the stent onto the inflation balloon of the balloon catheter; and maintaining the crimping elements at a temperature less than 40° C. while crimping the stent onto the inflation balloon of the balloon catheter.