Patent ID: 6651478
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
An assembly for reducing the diameter of an intraluminal device, comprising:a plurality of wedges, each wedge being spaced substantially equidistant from an adjacent wedge, wherein the spacing between wedges is uniform, each wedge having exterior edges that define an angle, such angle having a bisect; each wedge being configured for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to said bisect of said angle defined by said exterior edges for movement into and out of contact with the intraluminal device, wherein the wedges are associated with a stationary disk and a drive disk configured for rotational movement relative to the stationary disk, each wedge being attached to a linear slider mounted on the stationary disk, whereby, as the drive disk is rotated, the apex of the wedges move in a direction that is perpendicular to said bisect and as the apex of each wedge continues to move linearly , the apexes of the wedges move from an open position toward a closed position until the apexes come into contact with the intraluminal device.