Patent ID: 7284401
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A system for reducing the diameter of a stent comprising: a stent contracting assembly, the stent contracting assembly comprising a plurality of moveable contracting members, the plurality of contracting members defining a diameter reduction chamber, the chamber having a reduced diameter configuration and a pre-reduction diameter configuration, the contracting assembly constructed and arranged to receive a stent into and through the chamber, wherein when the chamber is in the pre-reduction diameter configuration the stent has a first diameter and when the chamber is in the reduced diameter configuration the stent has a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the first diameter, wherein the chamber defines a first end opening and a second end opening, the stent being moveable through the chamber from the first end opening to the second end opening, the stent contracting assembly further comprising a housing, the plurality of moveable contracting members being mechanically engaged to the housing, the stent contracting assembly further comprising at least one seal member, the at least one seal member engaged to a portion of the housing adjacent to at least one of the first end opening and the second end opening of the chamber, the at least one seal member providing a fluid tight seal to the at least one of the first end opening and the second end opening; a fluid source, the fluid source in fluid communication with the chamber, the fluid source constructed and arranged to provide a fluid bearing between the contracting members and the stent which prevents the contracting members from contacting the stent in the reduced diameter configuration; wherein the stent contracting assembly defines at least one fluid injection port, the at least one fluid injection port in fluid communication with the chamber and the fluid source.