Patent ID: 8732935

Claim:
A method for preparing an implantable medical device, comprising: a) loading a stent into a lumen of a loading tube such that a first end region of the stent projects beyond a first terminal end of the loading tube; b) loading a cover over the terminal end of the loading tube and slidably engaging the cover onto the loading tube such that a first end region of the cover is in apposition with the first end region of the stent that projects beyond the first terminal end of the loading tube; c) joining the first end region of the cover to the first end region of the stent in a first join to form a covered stent assembly having the first join; d) loading the covered stent assembly having the first join into a restraining tube such that a second end region of the cover and a second end region of the stent project beyond a terminal end of the restraining tube; and e) joining the second end region of the cover to the second end region of the stent in a second join to form the implantable medical device.