Patent ID: 8388682

Claim:
A method for loading a flow control device in a delivery catheter, the method comprising: opening a package containing the flow control device in an uncompressed state, a loader device, and at least one advancement device, wherein the advancement device comprises a puller device with at least one suture attached to the flow control device; advancing the flow control device through a funnel-shaped tunnel in the loader device, using the advancement device by pulling the flow control device with the puller device, wherein the flow control device transitions to a compressed state as it advances through the tunnel; removing the suture from the flow control device, wherein removing the suture comprises automatically cutting the suture when the flow control device has been pulled a desired distance through the funnel-shaped tunnel of the loader device; further advancing the flow control device in its compressed state into a housing of the delivery catheter, wherein the housing is coupled with the loader device; and removing the delivery catheter from the loader device with the flow control device loaded in the housing of the catheter.