Patent ID: 8206428

Claim:
A method of loading a stent into a sheath, wherein prior to said loading, said stent comprises: a first segment comprising: a plurality of connected crowns along an edge of said first segment comprising a first connected crown along an edge of said first segment; a plurality of unconnected crowns along said edge of said first segment comprising: a first unconnected neighbor crown directly adjacent but spaced apart from said first connected crown; and a second unconnected neighbor crown directly adjacent but spaced apart from said first connected crown; wherein two and only two of said plurality of unconnected crowns along said edge of said first segment are between each connected crown along said edge of said first segment, said connected crowns being connected to tabs; a first tab of said tabs comprising: a first tab end; and a second tab end, wherein said first connected crown is connected to approximately a middle of said first tab between said first tab end and said second tab end, said method comprising: moving said first and second unconnected neighbor crowns closer to said first connected crown; and moving said middle of said first tab and said first connected crown radially inwards with respect to said first and second unconnected neighbor crowns by applying an inward force to only said first tab end and said second tab end, wherein said first and second unconnected neighbor crowns overlap said first connected crown, wherein said first connected crown is spaced apart from said sheath.