The present invention provides a method of loading a prosthetic heart valve (1) into a catheter or delivery capsule. The prosthetic heart valve (1) includes an inner frame (2) having a tubular shape, a braided wire mesh (1000) arranged outside of the inner frame (2) and which defines a circumferential flange (4) around the inner frame (2). The method comprising the steps of: providing a tubular catheter or delivery capsule having a lumen defined by a capsule wall (31) and a distal aperture (40), the lumen having a diameter that is less than that of the inner frame (2) and braided wire mesh (1000); providing the heart valve (1) in a radially uncompressed condition; positioning the prosthetic heart valve (1) such that the inner frame (2) is received through the distal aperture (40) and into the lumen; moving the prosthetic heart valve (1) fully into the lumen such that the inner frame (2) and braided wire mesh (1000) are radially compressed; wherein the step of moving the braided wire mesh (1000) into the lumen of the catheter or delivery capsule includes inverting the circumferential flange (4).

An assembly (10) for crimping a frame (56) of an implant (58) comprises a crimping device (20) with a base (22) and a crimping mechanism (24) that defines a crimping aperture (26). A bath (28) having a floor (30), and one or more side-walls (32) extending upward from the floor to a side-wall height defines a receptacle (18) that is shaped to receive a portion of the crimping device. The apparatus has an assembled state in which the portion of the crimping device has been received by the receptacle, the crimping device is held securely by the bath, and the aperture is below the side-wall height. Other embodiments are also described.

A loading apparatus including an outer body, a guide tube, and an annular loading member is disclosed. As one example, the outer body includes an inner conical bore that narrows in diameter from a distal end to a proximal end portion of the outer body and the guide tube includes a distal portion arranged within the proximal end portion of the outer body and a proximal portion extending outward from the outer body. The annular loading member can include a ring portion and a plurality of arms extending outward, in an axial direction relative to a central longitudinal axis of the loading apparatus, from the ring portion, the ring portion coupled to an inner surface of the distal portion of the guide tube.

Disclosed herein is a storage container for an expandable prosthetic heart valve that crimps the valve upon opening the container and removal of the valve from the container. The container includes a housing sized to receive the heart valve in its expanded configuration and a crimping mechanism. The crimping mechanism is incorporated into the container and engages the heart valve so as to operably convert the heart valve from its expanded configuration to its smaller crimped configuration upon opening the container and removing the valve.

Devices, systems, and methods for crimping a medical device are disclosed. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for reducing the diameter of a collapsible heart valve prosthesis to be loaded onto a delivery device. The devices, systems, and methods using at least one funnel to crimp the heart valve prosthesis and load it onto the delivery system.

Embodiments hereof relate to methods of delivering a valve prosthesis to an annulus of a native valve of a heart, the native valve having chordae tendineae. A chordae management catheter is positioned within a ventricle of the heart, the chordae management catheter having a displacement component at a distal end thereof. The displacement component has an annular shape and defines a central lumen therethrough. The displacement component is radially expanded to push chordae tendineae within the ventricle radially outward. A valve delivery system is introduced into the ventricle of the heart via a ventricular wall of the heart. The valve delivery system has the valve prosthesis at a distal portion thereof. The valve delivery system is advanced through the central lumen of the radially expanded displacement component towards the annulus of the native valve of the heart. The valve prosthesis is deployed into apposition with the annulus of the native valve.

Systems and devices for crimping a medical device and associated methods are disclosed herein. A crimping device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a frame including a stationary plate, a movable member, and a plurality of blades arranged to form a channel and each including a pin that projects through a slot on the movable member and a corresponding slot on the stationary plate. The crimping device can be actuated to move the movable member relative to the stationary plate to drive the pins along paths defined by the slots to thereby drive the blades radially inward to crimp a medical device positioned within the channel.

A device for compressing a stent may include a housing extending along a central longitudinal axis, a first threaded member and a second threaded member, a first iris and a second iris, and a compressor element disposed between the second iris and the second threaded member. The first iris includes a first ring extending transverse to the axis and a first plurality of arms extending from the first ring parallel to the axis. The first plurality of arms defines a first central opening and rotation of the first threaded member changes a size of the first central opening. The second iris includes a second ring extending transverse to the axis and a second plurality of arms extending from the second ring parallel to the axis. The second plurality of arms defines a second central opening and rotation of the second threaded member changes a size of the second central opening.

A guide cap and a loading system for loading an implant into a delivery system are disclosed which are capable of simplifying operations required in interventional surgery using the implant. The guide cap has a lumen passing therethrough and includes: a conical section; a straight or conical tube in communication with a small open end of the conical section; and a flange, wherein a large open end of the conical section flares outward and thereby forms the flange. The loading system includes a guider and the guide cap. During the process of loading the implant into the delivery system, the guide cap enables the valve prosthesis to be coupled to the connector of the delivery system and allows the valve prosthesis to be compressed so as to be entirely capsuled in the delivery system with relatively easy and quick operations, thereby reducing surgery time during its clinical use.

A leaflet folding accessory or tool configured for use with a crimper when radially compressing a transcatheter valve prosthesis into a crimped configuration for delivery within a vasculature. The crimping accessory is configured to apply or remove fluid to or from the at least one leaflet of the transcatheter valve prosthesis during the crimping process to prevent protrusion of the leaflets into the frame of the transcatheter valve prosthesis that may cause leaflet pinching and damage.