DEVICE AND METHOD OF RADIALLY COLLAPSING MEDICAL DEVICES

Abstract

A device and method of radially collapsing a medical device is disclosed. The device is in the form of an improved crimper which is capable of crimping a medical device. The crimper includes without limitation one or more of, a base plate, a stopper, two side plates, two housing plates with a handle, a plurality of jaws, two guide plates, at least one gear ring and a plurality of gear pins. The jaws, when assembled, collectively form an iris opening. The assembly of the crimper has a central opening through which the iris opening can be accessed. The device to be crimped is introduced in the central opening and held within the iris opening. The crimping is achieved by reducing the size of the iris opening (by moving the jaws simultaneously with respect to each other in synchronized manner) which in turn reduces the diameter of the prosthetic device.

Claims

1. A crimping device (100) for crimping a prosthetic device, the crimping device (100) comprising: a handle (109) configured to move upwards and downwards; at least one gear ring (115) and configured to rotate in response to the movement of the handle (109), the at least one gear ring (115) comprising threads (115a); a guide housing disposed within an inner circumference of the at least one gear ring (115); a plurality of jaws (111) disposed within the guide housing and movable linearly in a radial direction within the guide housing, each jaw (111) comprising: a top surface (111e); a tapered surface (111d); and a hole (111c) provided in the top surface (111e) of the jaw (111), the hole (111c) having internal threads; wherein the tapered surfaces (111d) of the plurality of jaws (111) when assembled form an iris opening (111a) configured to receive a prosthetic device; and a plurality of gear pins (117), each gear pin (117) comprising a head portion (117a) having external threads configured to mate with the threads (115a) of the gear ring (115), and a threaded pin portion (117b) having threads (117c) configured to mate with the threads in the hole (111c) of a corresponding jaw (111); wherein in response to the movement of the handle (109), the at least one gear ring (115) and the plurality of gear pins (117) rotate, causing the plurality of jaws (111) to move linearly in a radial direction, thereby changing the size of the iris opening (111a).

2. The crimping device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crimping device (100) further comprises two housing plates (107, 107), each housing plate (107,107) having a handle portion (107b) and a tray portion with a central housing opening (107c), wherein when the two housing plates (107, 107) are assembled, the tray portions of the housing plates (107, 107) form a housing (107A) to accommodate the at least one gear ring (115), the guide plates (113, 113), the plurality of jaws (111) and the plurality of gear pins (117) and the handle portions (107b) form the handle (109).

3. The crimping device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each housing plate (107, 107) has a raised edge (e1), wherein the at least one gear ring (115) has an outer diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the raised edge (e1) of the housing plates (107, 107).

4. The crimping device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of: the at least one gear ring (115) comprises one gear ring (115) fixed into one of the housing plates (107, 107) such that the gear ring (115) is free to rotate relative to the housing plate (107, 107) while the other housing plate (107, 107) does not have a gear ring (115), or the at least one gear ring (115) comprises one gear ring (115) firmly fixed into one of the housing plates (107, 107) while the other housing plate (107, 107) does not have a gear ring (115), or the at least one gear ring (115) comprises two gear rings (115), wherein one of the two gear rings (115) is fixed in one of the housing plates (107, 107) such that the gear ring (115) is free to rotate relative to the housing plate (107, 107) while the other gear ring (115) is firmly fixed in the other housing plate (107, 107), or the at least one gear ring (115) comprises two gear rings (115), wherein one gear ring (115) is firmly fixed in each of the housing plates (107, 107).

5. The crimping device (100) as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the crimping device (100) comprises two side plates (105, 105), each side plate (105, 105) coupled with a corresponding housing plate (107, 107) such that the two housing plates (107, 107) are free to rotate relative to the side plates (105, 105).

6. The crimping device (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the crimping device (100) comprises a base plate (101) coupled with the side plates (105, 105).

7. The crimping device (100) as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the crimping device (100) comprises two guide plates (113, 113) forming the guiding housing, each guide plate (113, 113) comprising a central guide opening (113b) and a plurality of linear guides (113a) extending away from a central portion of the guide plate (113, 113) in a radial direction; wherein a groove (111b, 111b) is provided on each of two sides of the jaw (111), each groove (111b, 111b) engaging with a corresponding linear guide (113a) of the guide plates (113, 113), wherein the rotation of the plurality of gear pins (117) causes the plurality of jaws (111) slide over the linear guides (113a).

8. The crimping device (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein one of: the guide plates (113, 113) include a raised guide edge (113d) having a circular round shape outer periphery with an outer diameter that is smaller than an internal diameter of the gear ring (115), or the guide plates (113, 113) include a raised guide edge (113d) having a polygonal shape outer periphery with an outer dimension smaller than an internal diameter of the gear ring (115).

9. The crimping device (100) as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the head portion (117a) of each gear pin (117) has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the pin portion (117b) of the gear pin (117).

10. The crimping device (100) as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the crimping device (100) comprises one or more stoppers (103) configured to restrict the downward movement of the handle (109) to prevent the size of the iris opening (111a) from reducing further.

11. The crimping device (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more stoppers (103) are removably coupled to a base plate (101).

12. The crimping device (100) as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the prosthetic device is one of a balloon-expandable prosthetic device or a self-expandable prosthetic device.

13. The crimping device (100) as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the prosthetic device is one of a vascular stent or a trans-catheter prosthetic heart valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended figures. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, various exemplary embodiments are shown in the figures. However, the disclosure is not limited to the description and figures disclosed herein. Moreover, those familiar with the art will understand that the figures are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a crimper 100 in assembled condition showing the components which are visible externally in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 2 depicts a base plate 101 of the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a stopper 103 of the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 4 depicts a side plate 105 of the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows a housing plate 107 of the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows a jaw 111 of the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a guide plate 113 of the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 8 depicts a gear ring 115 of the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 9 depicts a gear pin 117 of the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of method for assembling the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 10a-10i depicts the different stages in assembly of the crimper 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Prior to describing the invention in detail, definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document will be defined: the terms include and comprise, as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term or is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases coupled with and associated therewith, as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have a property of, or the like; Definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

[0031] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment, in an embodiment, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean one or more but not all embodiments unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms including, comprising, having, and variations thereof mean including but not limited to unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms a, an, and the also refer to one or more unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0032] Although the operations of exemplary embodiments of the disclosed device/apparatus or method may be described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments can encompass an order of operations other than the particular, sequential order disclosed. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Further, descriptions and disclosures provided in association with one particular embodiment are not limited to that embodiment, and may be applied to any embodiment disclosed herein. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed system, method, and apparatus can be used in combination with other systems, methods, and apparatuses.

[0033] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments. These features and advantages of the embodiments will become more fully apparent from the following description and apportioned claims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments as set forth hereinafter.

[0034] The present invention discloses an apparatus and method of radially collapsing medical devices/prosthetic devices that have support structures i.e. frames which are radially collapsible and expandable such as stents/scaffolds/support frames which are balloon expandable or self-expandable. The medical device/prosthetic device may include a prosthetic heart valve, say a trans-catheter heart valve (THV) having a support structure (stent/scaffold/frame) and leaflets made of biological tissue material or a synthetic material which are radially collapsible and seated within the support structure. In addition, the THV may include other components like one or more of an internal skirt, an external skirt, etc. These devices are generally balloon expandable.

[0035] Though the invention describes an apparatus and method of radially collapsing with respect to THV, it is also suited for crimping other balloon expandable devices like vascular stents, stent grafts etc. The apparatus of the present invention is also suitable to crimp large size balloon expandable stents or prosthetic heart valves (THV) having expanded diameters as large as 32 mm or even more.

[0036] It should be noted that in the figures and the description to follow, the term prosthetic device as used in the specification refers to balloon expandable prosthetic devices such as vascular stents, grafts or prosthetic valves for implanting into human vasculature, such as prosthetic heart valves (THV), venous valves and other similar valves. The term prosthetic valve is also used for THV, venous valve or other similar valves.

[0037] The prosthetic heart valve includes a balloon expandable frame which supports a valvular structure attached to it by methods known in the art. As known in the art, the valvular structure may be made from a tissue such as pericardium e.g. bovine, porcine or equine pericardium. Alternatively, the valvular structure may be made from a synthetic material such as polyurethane (PU) or any other such material known in the art. The valvular structure may be attached to the frame by techniques known in the art, for example, suturing. The prosthetic heart valve may have other components like internal skirt, external skirt, commissure support fabrics, etc. The internal and external skirts may be made from a tissue or fabric such as polyethylene terephalate (PET).

[0038] Likewise, the terms delivery system, delivery catheter, or catheter refer to the delivery apparatus used for implanting prosthetic devices in a human vasculature. These terms are used interchangeably but carry the same meaning.

[0039] Further, the apparatus of the present invention may be used to crimp self-expanding stents or prosthetic valves which can be loaded in a crimped condition into a restraining sheath instead of crimping them on a balloon.

[0040] The apparatus used for reducing the diameter of such medical devices is referred to as a crimping device, crimper or crimping apparatus in the following specification. The process of reducing the diameter of the medical device is referred to as crimping in the following specification. In the case of a balloon expandable prosthetic device, the so called crimping results into mounting the medical/prosthetic device on a deflated balloon of a delivery catheter by radially compressing it on the balloon.

[0041] The crimper disclosed in this invention is capable of crimping a radially expandable and collapsible medical/prosthetic device in a single-stage or multi-stage crimping operation.

[0042] Now referring to figures, FIG. 1 depicts the externally visible components of the crimper 100 of the present invention. As mentioned above, the crimper 100 of the present invention is capable of crimping an expandable medical device (or expandable prosthetic device) for reducing the diameter of an expandable medical device from an at least partially expanded state to at least a partially crimped state.

[0043] The externally visible components of the crimper 100 as shown in FIG. 1 include a base plate 101, one or more stoppers 103 (optional), two side plates 105 and 105 (only one side plate 105 is visible as 105 is on the other side of the assembly), a housing 107A formed by assembling two housing plates 107 and 107, a handle 109 and a plurality of jaws 111 which form an iris opening 111a (also referred to as aperture 111a or central opening 111a). The crimper 100 also includes internal components that are internally placed within the externally visible components such as without limitation, one or more of, guide plates, gear rings, gear pins, etc. (discussed in detail below).

[0044] The components of the crimper 100 may be made of a biocompatible polymeric or reinforced polymeric materials where the reinforcement may be achieved by incorporating fibrous materials like glass fibre in the polymeric material. The polymeric materials may include acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM), Nylon, polyester, polyamide polyether ether ketone (PEEK) etc. Alternately, the components of the crimper 100 may be made from biocompatible metals or metal alloys such as stainless steel, titanium etc. The components should have adequate mechanical strength. Alternately, the components of the crimper 100 may be made from a combination of polymeric and metallic materials. In a preferred embodiment of the crimper 100, the components are made from polymeric and reinforced polymeric materials such as ABS, polyamide and POM.

[0045] The assembled crimper 100 is placed on the base plate 101. The details of the base plate 101 is shown in FIG. 2. The base plate 101 may include a pre-defined shape such as circular, square, rectangular, oval etc. In an embodiment of FIG. 2, the pre-defined shape is rectangular. The shape of the base plate 101 is so selected that the surface area of the base plate 101 is good enough to firmly mount the assembled crimper 100 with adequate support and stability.

[0046] The exemplary base plate 101 of FIG. 2 includes a plurality of holes and cavities 101a to facilitate fixation of assembled crimper 100. The holes and cavities 101a shown in FIG. 2 are exemplary. The structure and dimensions of the holes and cavities 101a may correspond to the components of the assembly crimper 100 that mate with the base plate 101.

[0047] The optional one or more stoppers 103 may be adjustable and removable. Hence, the stopper 103 may be detachably (removably) attached to the base plate 101. The function of the stopper 103 is to restrict the downward movement of the handle 109 defining a lowermost position of the handle 109 to prevent the size of the iris opening 111a from reducing further. The length of the stopper 103 may depend on the specific requirement of a crimped diameter of the medical device being crimped. For example, smaller the length of the stopper 103, smaller is the crimped diameter of the medical device. There may be multiple stoppers 103 of different lengths, one of which may be attached to the base plate 101 to achieve specific crimped diameter. This arrangement facilitates crimping in multiple stages. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary stopper 103 of the present invention.

[0048] The crimper 100 of the present invention includes several components which are in two parts (two halves). These parts are either identical or mirror images of each other. For convenience, one of the part of these components is shown in the figures.

[0049] The present invention may further include at least two side plates. The embodiment of the crimper 100 described herein includes two side plates i.e. a first side plate 105 and a second side plate 105, one of whichthe first side plate 105is shown in FIG. 4. The function of the first and second side plates 105 and 105 is to support the housing 107A of the crimper 100 (described below) along with the other components housed inside the housing 107A. The side plates 105 and 105 may be structurally similar or different. In an embodiment, the crimper 100 includes two side plates 105 and 105 fixed on the base plate 101 such that the housing 107A is accommodated between them. In an embodiment, the first side plate 105 is a mirror image of the second side plate 105.

[0050] The second side plate 105 is not shown as it is a mirror image of the first side plate 105. The exemplary first side plate 105 is in the form of a triangular plate having a predefined depth and required reinforcement strips to enhance mechanical strength. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the side plates 105/105 includes a central opening 105a which holds the assembled housing 107A with internal components (described below).

[0051] FIG. 1 shows the central opening 105a in the side plate 105 which is concentric with a central round opening in the housing 107A when assembled. The assembled housing 107A is held between the first and second side plates 105 and 105 such that the housing 107A is free to rotate around the central opening 105a of the side plates 105, 105. As the first and second side plates 105 and 105 are fixed onto the base plate 101, the assembled housing 107A is adequately supported between the two side plates 105, 105. A skilled person would appreciate that there are various ways of structuring the side plates 105/105 to support the assembled housing 107A between them.

[0052] The exemplary structure of the side plates 105/105 helps to hold and support the housing 107A of the crimper 100. However, it should be noted that the side plates 105/105 may include any other shape or structure and such structures are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0053] In an embodiment, the crimper 100 includes two housing plates 107 and 107, i.e. a right housing plate and a left housing plate held between the two side plates 105/105 which are fixed over the base plate 101 such that the housing plates 107, 107 are free to rotate relative to the base plate 101. Both the housing plates 107/107 of the present invention are mirror images of each other. When assembled, the two housing plates 107, 107 form the housing 107A.

[0054] The structure of an exemplary embodiment of one of the housing plates 107 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. The other housing plate 107 is not shown as it is a mirror image of the housing plate 107. Each of the housing plates 107/107 are for example, circular in shape, with an internal diameter and a raised edge e1. The raised edge e1 may be for example, circular in shape. The raised edge e1 gives the housing plates 107/107 a shape which resembles a tray (for example, a circular tray portion) with an extended handle portion 107b integrally attached to the raised edge e1. The extended handle portion 107b of both the housing plates 107 and 107 when assembled, form the handle 109 of the housing 107A.

[0055] Each of the housing plates 107/107 may include a central housing opening 107c (or opening 107c). The central housing opening 107c as shown in FIG. 5, preferentially, has a circular (or round) shape.

[0056] The housing 107A formed by assembly of two housing plates 107 and 107 at the tray portions of each forms a housing and is utilized to accommodate/house the internal components of the crimper 100 (described below). The internal components of the crimper 100 are housed within the empty space of the housing 107A formed by joining/assembling the two housing plates 107/107 (described below in detail).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 1, the crimper 100 may include a plurality of jaws 111. In a preferred embodiment, the crimper 100 of the present invention includes twelve jaws 111. However, the number of jaws 111 may be less than or more than twelve. The jaws 111 move radially in a synchronized manner such that they collectively form the aperture 111a (or an iris opening) as shown in FIG. 1. The aperture 111a is an iris opening which is in the form of a regular polygon forming nearly a circular shape defining a size/diameter. The size/diameter of the aperture 111a can be varied in a controlled manner by movement of the jaws 111 in a synchronous manner on movement of the handle 109.

[0058] As mentioned above, the iris opening 111a is formed by a regular polygon. The number of sides of the polygon is same as the number of jaws 111. More the number of jaws 111, more are the sides of the regular polygon that form the iris opening 111a having a smoother opening tending to circular shape. In an embodiment, the iris opening 111a is formed by twelve jaws 111.

[0059] It should be noted that the structure of all the jaws 111 is same/identical. However, other alternatives having jaws 111 with different structures are also within the scope of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a single exemplary jaw 111. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the jaws 111 may include a set of grooves 111b and 111b, one on each of its two sides. The linear guides 113a of the guide plates 113/113 (described below) fit into the grooves 111b/111b. In an embodiment, each of the grooves 111b/111b has a width that corresponds to the width of the linear guides 113a of guide plates 113/113 such that the linear guides 113a can fit inside the grooves 111b/111b in such a way that the jaws 111 can slide smoothly over the linear guides 113a.

[0060] The jaws 111 may further include a top surface 111e having a hole 111c with internal threads. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the top surface 111e is a flat surface. The said threads enable mating of the threads on a pin portion of the gear pin 117 (described below). Each jaw 111 has a tapered surface 111d at the end opposite to the top surface 111e. The tapered surfaces 111d of all the jaws 111 collectively form the iris opening 111a when all the jaws 111 are assembled within the guiding plates 113/113 as described below.

[0061] Each of the housing plates 107 and 107 of the present invention is equipped to hold one guide plate 113 and 113 respectively. In an embodiment, the crimper 100 includes two guide plates viz. 113 and, 113 referred to as right guide plate and left guide plate. In an embodiment, both the guide plates 113/113 are mirror images of each other i.e. the guide plate 113 is a mirror image of the guide plate 113. The guide plates 113, 113 form a housing when they are fixed to each other. The jaws 111 and gear pins 117 are housed within the housing formed by assembling the guide plates 113, 113.

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a single guide plate 113 of a preferred embodiment. The other guide plate 113, being the mirror image of guide plate 113, is not shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the guide plate 113 includes an outer periphery having a pre-defined shape such as a polygonal shape shown in FIG. 7. In an embodiment, the number of sides of the polygon is same as the number of jaws 111. Each guide plate 113/113 may include a raised guide edge 113d with an outer periphery as shown in FIG. 7 to give it a tray-like shape.

[0063] The raised guide edge 113d may include an outer periphery having a polygonal shape with an outer dimension smaller than an internal diameter of the gear rings 115. The number of sides of the polygon is same as the number of jaws 111 and gear pins 117. Alternately, the raised guide edge 113d may include an outer periphery having a circular round shape with an outer diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the gear rings 115.

[0064] The outer periphery of the guide plate 113/113 has an outer dimension which is smaller than the internal diameter of the gear rings 115 (described below) such that the guide plates 113/113 can be accommodated within the gear rings 115. Each guide plate 113/113 is concentrically fitted inside the corresponding housing plate 107/107 within the inner circumference of the gear ring 115 such that the housing plate is free to rotate relative to the corresponding guide plate 113/113.

[0065] The guide plates 113/113 may include a plurality of linear guides 113a. Each of the linear guides 113a may be same or different from each other. In an embodiment, the linear guides 113a are identical. As shown in FIG. 7, the linear guides 113a extend from a central portion of the guide plate 113 in a radial direction away from the central portion. The other guide plate 113 also has similar linear guides 113a corresponding to mirror images of the linear guides 113a of guide plate 113. The linear guides 113a/113a in guide plates 113/113 may be in the form of rails which guide the movement of jaws 111. In an embodiment, the number of linear guides 113a/113a is equal to the number of jaws 111. In an embodiment, the number of linear guides 113/113 and the number of jaws 111 is twelve.

[0066] Each linear guide 113a/113a includes a pre-defined width and a pre-defined length. Each linear guide 113a fits in one of the grooves 111b of one of the jaws 111. As described above, each jaw 111 has two grooves 111b and 111b one on each side. The other groove 111b of the same jaw 111 engages with a corresponding linear guide 113a in the other guide plate 113. This arrangement helps the jaws 111 to move by sliding over these linear guides 113a/113a in the radial direction. Hence, the direction of the radial movement of the jaws 111 is controlled by the linear guides 113a/113a.

[0067] The guide plate 113/113 may include a guide opening 113b at its center (or central guide opening 113b) and a number of partial openings 113c on the raised guide edge 113d. In an embodiment, the number of partial openings 113c is equal to the number of jaws 111. In an embodiment, the guide opening 113b is circular. Similarly, the partial openings may be roughly semi-circular.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, the exemplary guide plate 113 includes twelve linear guides 113a for guiding the movement of corresponding twelve jaws 111. It has also twelve partial openings 113c. The other guide plate 113 includes same number of linear guides 113a and partial openings 113c. A skilled person will understand that number of jaws 111 and the linear guides 113a/113a may be less than or more than twelve.

[0069] The at least one of the housing plates 107/107 is provided with a gear ring 115 which is concentrically fixed inside the housing plate 107/107. In an embodiment, the crimper 100 includes a single gear ring 115. In an alternate embodiment, the crimper 100 includes two gear rings 115, e.g., a right gear ring and left gear ring. As shown in FIG. 8, the gear ring 115 has a circular (round) shape and has threads 115a on its side. In case of two gear rings, both the gear rings 115 may be identical. Owing to similarity in structure, both the gear rings are interchangeably referred by reference numeral 115. Each of the gear rings 115 includes an internal diameter (inner diameter) which defines an inner circumference of the gear rings 115 and an outer diameter which defines an outer circumference of the gear rings 115. In an embodiment, the outer diameter of the gear ring 115 is smaller than the internal diameter of the circular raised edge e1 of the housing plates 107/107 so that each gear ring 115 can be fixed inside the housing plate 107/107 within the circular raised edge e1 of respective housing plate 107/107 (right or left). The internal diameter of the gear ring 115 is larger than the outer dimension of the guide plate 113 so that the guide plate 113 can be placed within the internal periphery of the gear ring 115. The threads 115a of the gear ring 115 mate with the threads on a head portion 117a of the gear pin 117 described below.

[0070] The crimper includes a plurality of gear pins. Each of the gear pins 117 may be same or different. In an embodiment, the gear pins 117 are identical to each other. The number of gear pins 117 may be equal to the number of jaws 111. Owing to the presence of twelve jaws 111 and twelve linear guides 113a/113a in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the crimper 100 includes twelve gear pins 117. However, depending upon the number of jaws and linear guides, the number of gear pins may be more or less than twelve.

[0071] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of the gear pin 117. Each of the gear pin 117 includes an upper round head (or a head portion) 117a and a lower pin portion (or pin portion) 117b. The diameter of the head portion 117a is larger than diameter of the pin portion 117b. The upper round head 117a includes external threads that mate with the threads 115a present in the gear rings 115. The lower pin portion 117b also includes threads 117c that mate with the threads in the hole 111c of the jaws 111 (described above).

[0072] The above stated external as well as internal components are assembled to form the crimper 100 of the present invention.

[0073] The method of assembly of the foregoing crimper 100 is depicted in FIG. 10.

[0074] The method 10 commences at step 100a where one of the at least one gear ring 115 is fixed concentrically into one of the housing plate 107. In case of the presence of another guide ring 115, the remaining gear ring 115 may be fixed into the other housing plate 107. The embodiment of the assembly of the right housing plate 107 and the gear ring 115 is depicted in FIG. 10a where the housing plate 107 is shown as placed on the base plate 101. However, it is not necessary that the assembly is made on the base plate 101.

[0075] In an embodiment, in case of two gear rings 115, one of the gear rings 115 is so fitted that it is free to rotate relative to the housing plate 107 in which it is fitted, while the other gear ring 115 is fixed firmly in the housing plate 107 so that it is not free to rotate relative to the housing plate 107 in which it is fitted. Alternately, both the gear rings 115 may be firmly fixed into the respective housing plates 107 and 107 such that none of them are free to rotate relative to the respective housing plates 107/107 in which they are fitted. In another embodiment, one of the housing plates e.g. 107 is provided with a gear ring e.g. 115 which is firmly fixed in the housing plate 107, while the other housing plate 107 is not provided with a gear ring 115. In the preferred embodiment, one of the gear rings 115 is free to rotate while the other is fixed firmly and is not free to rotate.

[0076] At step 100b, one of the guide plates 113 is concentrically placed and fitted into the assembly of housing plate 107 and gear ring 115 of FIG. 10a. As the outer dimension of the guide plate 113/113 is less than the inner diameter of the gear ring 115, the guide plate 113/113 can be placed within the inner circumference of the gear ring 115. The guide plate 113 is placed concentrically within the inner circumference of the gear ring 115 fitted inside the housing plates 107 such that central housing opening 107c of the housing plate 107 is concentric with the central guide opening 113b of the guide plate 113/113. FIG. 10b shows an assembly with the guide plate 113 fitted in this manner. As shown in FIG. 10b, the guide plate 113 fits within the inner circumference of the gear ring 115 fitted into the housing plate 107. In this embodiment, the guide plate 113 is fitted such that the housing plate 107 can freely rotate relative to the guide plate 113. Note that the linear guides 113a extend in the radial direction.

[0077] At step 100c, the gear pins 117 and the jaws 111 are then fixed/fitted into the above assembly. To make this arrangement clear, the above assembly is shown in FIG. 10c with one gear pin 117 (without the jaw 111) in one of the assemblies. As shown in FIG. 10c, the head portion 117a of the gear pin 117 projects out from the guide plate 113 through a partial opening 113c and the pin portion 117b projects inside the guide plate 113. This allows the external threads on the head portion 117a of the gear pin 117 to engage with the threads 115a of the gear ring 115 at M (threaded engagement). In addition, the pin portion 117b of the gear pin 117 rests in the partial opening 113c on the raised guide edge 113d of the guide plate 113 such that all the gear pins 117 are free to rotate on their respective axis. It may be noted that the gear pin 117 as shown does not have support and it cannot remain in this position as shown. The assembly should be laid flat. FIG. 10c is provided just to illustrate how the gear pin 117 will ultimately be fixed.

[0078] In order to fix the jaws 111 to the gear pins 117, the threads 117c on the pin portion 117b of the gear pin 117 are engaged with the threads in the hole 111c in the jaw 111 (threaded connection). FIG. 10d shows a view of a single gear pin 117 along with one jaw 111. Care is taken while fitting the jaws 111 such that one of the grooves e.g. 111b of the jaw 111 aligns with one of the linear guides 113a of the guide plate 113 and engages with one of the linear guides 113a of the guide plate 113. It may be noted that the gear pin 117 and the jaw 111 as shown do not have support and they cannot remain in this position as shown. The assembly should be laid flat. FIG. 10d is provided just to explain how the gear pin 117 and the jaw 111 will ultimately be fixed.

[0079] All the gear pins 117 and all the jaws 111 are similarly assembled inside the guide plate 113 as shown in FIG. 10e. All the jaws 111 are arranged such that each jaw 111 engages same number of threads of the gear pin 117 with which it is engaged so that all the jaws 111 are at the same radial distance from the center of the guide plate 113. Thus, all the jaws and the gear pins are fixed in a manner that the tapered portions of all jaws collectively form a uniform polygonal iris opening. Further, as the tapered surface 111d of one jaw 111 is in contact with the corresponding tapered surface 111d of the adjacently placed jaw 111, the above assembly remains stable preferably when placed flat. In addition, the tapered surfaces 111d of all jaws 111 when placed together in this manner, i.e. when all the jaws 111 are at the same radial distance from the centre of the guide plate 113, form the iris opening 111a at the center as evident in FIG. 10e.

[0080] At step 100d, the second guide plate 113 is concentrically and firmly placed and fixed/fitted onto the first guide plate 113 in the above assembly as shown in FIG. 10f. The central guide opening 113b of the second guide plate 113 is concentric with the central guide openings 113b of the first guide plate 113 and central housing opening 107c of the first housing plate 107. The guide plates 113 and 113 together form the housing that houses the jaws 111 along with the gear pins 117. Care is taken while fitting the second guide plate 113 such that the linear guides 113a of the second guide plate 113 are engaged in the second set of grooves e.g. 111b of the corresponding jaws 111.

[0081] As mentioned previously, the head portions 117a of the gear pins 117 project out from the assembly of two guide plates 113/113 through partial openings 113c of each guide plate 113/113. The partial openings 113c on each of the guide plates 113, 113 now form a full opening through which the upper part of the pin portions 117b of all the gear pins 117 projects out from the assembly of two guide plates 113 and 113 such that all the gear pins 117 are free to rotate along their respective axes within these full openings. The housing plate 107 is free to rotate with respect to the guide plates 113/113 in the assembly thus formed.

[0082] At step 100e, the second housing plate 107 (other housing plate 107) is concentrically placed and fitted onto the above assembly to align with the first housing plate 107 as shown in FIG. 10g such that the central housing openings 107c (of both housing plates 107) and guide openings 113b (of both guide plates 113/113) are concentric. Care is taken while fitting the second housing plate 107 such that the threads of the other gear ring 115 (if provided) in the second housing plate 107 are engaged with the threads on the head portion 117a of the gear pins 117 and the second housing plate 107 is able to freely rotate relative to the assembly of the guide plates 113 and 113. The housing plates 107 and 107 are firmly fixed with each other to form the housing 107A such that after fixing, the handle portions 107b of the two housing plates 107 and 107 form a complete handle 109 and the housing 107A can rotate freely relative to the assembly of the two guide plates 113 and 113.

[0083] At step 100f, the side plates 105 and 105 are fitted onto the above assembly as shown in FIG. 10h on each of the sides of the assembly of housing plates 107/107 forming the housing 107A and the guide plates with all internal components. The central openings 105a in the side plates 105/105 are concentric with the central housing openings 107c of the housing plates 107/107 and the guide openings 113b in the guide plates 113/113; together this arrangement forms a central round opening Y shown in FIG. 10h. In an embodiment, the side plates 105/105 are firmly fixed with each other such that the housing 107A is free to rotate relative to the side plates 105/105 and the guide plates 113/113 around the central round opening Y. The said assembly of the side plates 105/105, the housing plates 107/107 and the guide plates 113/113, is fixed onto the base plate 101 making the assembly of the side plates 105/105 and the guide plates 113/113 stationary while the housing 107A is free to rotate around the central round opening Y by moving the handle upwards or downwards.

[0084] Hence, the central housing opening 107c of the housing plates 107/107 and the guide opening 113b of the guide plates 113/113 coincide with each other to receive a radially expandable and collapsible prosthetic device within the iris opening 111a.

[0085] The above assembly is then fitted with the optional removable stopper 103 as shown in FIG. 10i. FIG. 10i shows the crimper 100 with the stopper 103 set at vertical position where the movement of the handle 109 of the housing plate 107 is restricted by the stopper 103. The handle 109 cannot move further down which restricts the minimum size/diameter of the aperture 111a corresponding to the lowest position of the handle 109 as restricted by the stopper 103. When the handle 109 is moved up, the size/diameter of the aperture 111a increases and in the uppermost position, this diameter is maximum. If the stopper 103 is shortened, the minimum size/diameter of the aperture 111a will reduce. If the stopper 103 is absent, the handle 109 has no restriction in moving further down and size/diameter of the aperture 111a can reduce to a very low value.

[0086] The above disclosed crimper 100 may operate in a pre-defined manner as elucidated below. The movement of the handle 109 imparts rotational movement to the housing 107A around the central round opening Y and the internal components placed within the housing formed by the two guide plates 113 and 113. This movement results in rotation of the gear rings 115 which in turn rotates the head portions 117a of the gear pins 117. The pin portions 117b of the gear pins 117 also rotate within the internal threads of the hole 111c at the top surface 111e of the respective jaws 111 thereby causing the jaws 111 to move linearly by sliding along the linear guides 113a/113a of the guide plates 113/113 in radial direction in a synchronized manner. This movement of the jaws 111 changes (reduces or increases) the size of the aperture (iris opening) 111a formed by the tapered surfaces 111d of the jaws 111. When the handle 109 is moved in upward direction, the gear ring(s) 115 rotate in the same direction. This motion rotates the gear pins 117 such that jaws 111 move away from each other increasing the size/diameter of the iris opening 111a. Moving the handle 109 in downward direction would, similarly cause the jaws 111 to move closer to each other reducing the size/diameter of the iris opening 111a.

[0087] The method of crimping using the crimper 100 of the present invention involves placing the crimped medical device (in at least partially expanded condition) onto the deflated balloon of the delivery system. If desired, the balloon may be partially inflated so that the medical device can be fitted better onto the balloon. The handle 109 of the crimper 100 is then moved in an upward direction to increase the size of the iris opening 111a more than the diameter of the prosthetic device which may be in at least a partially expanded condition. The balloon and the prosthetic device are at least partially introduced/placed across the iris opening 111a of the crimper 100. The handle 109 is then gradually moved in the downward direction to reduce the size of the iris opening 111a causing reduction in the diameter of the prosthetic device i.e. crimping of the prosthetic device. This downward movement is controlled manually so as to achieve reduction in the size of the iris opening 111a in a gradual manner. Alternately, this downward movement may be automated. The downward movement of the handle 109 is stopped when desired crimping is achieved which may be in more than one stages. The crimped diameter of the prosthetic device may either be controlled by stopping downward movement of the handle 109 by judgment or by restricting further downward movement of the handle 109 by the stopper 103.

[0088] At this stage, the handle 109 is moved upwards to increase the size of the iris opening 111a and the prosthetic device crimped on the balloon is removed from the aperture 111a of the crimper 100.

[0089] Subsequently, the crimped prosthetic device is checked whether desired level of crimping is achieved. If further crimping is required to reduce the crimped diameter further, the crimping operation is repeated and the handle 109 is further moved down compared to the previous position.

[0090] The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used.