Patent ID: 8042373
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A stent crimping system comprising: a crimping head including a plurality of crimping blades which collectively define an iris for receiving a stent therein, the iris defining an opening extending through the crimping head from a first end of the crimping head to a second end of the crimping head, the plurality of crimping blades being movable between an open position in which the opening of the iris has a first perimeter to a closed position in which the opening of the iris has a second perimeter less than the first perimeter; a first protective strip extending longitudinally through the opening of the iris of the crimping head from a feeder spool to a receiver spool, the first protective strip having a width measured from a first edge of the first protective strip to a second edge of the first protective strip opposite the first edge of the first protective strip; and a second protective strip extending longitudinally through the opening of the iris of the crimping head from a feeder spool to a receiver spool, the second protective strip having a width measured from a first edge of the second protective strip to a second edge of the second protective strip opposite the first edge of the second protective strip; wherein when the crimping blades are in the closed position, a first portion of the first protective strip overlaps a first portion of the second protective strip such that the first portion of the first protective strip is positioned between the stent and the first portion of the second protective strip, and the first portion of the second protective strip is positioned between the first portion of the first protective strip and the perimeter of the opening of the crimping iris.