Patent ID: 8679398

Claim:
A method of folding a pleated balloon catheter comprising the steps of: a. providing a folder including a plurality of segments, each having a predetermined shape with a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, and one said point being pivotally coupled by pins to the stationary member and one said point being pivotally coupled by pins to the rotatable member, the segments being arranged so that the segment distal ends are disposed adjacent to and a predetermined distance away from a central point and defining a central aperture with a cylindrical dimension, b. inserting the pleated balloon and catheter into the folder central aperture; c. rotating the rotatable member of the folder in a predetermined direction so that the segment distal ends move closer to the central point, whereby the central aperture contacts, radially compresses and folds the pleated balloon onto the shaft of the catheter to form a folded balloon; and d. rotating the rotatable member of the folder in an opposite direction for removing the folded balloon from the folder.