Device and Method for Crimping an Implant

Abstract

A device ( 10, 10′ ) and method for crimping an implant ( 20 ), which can assume either a compressed state or an expanded state, at least over a portion of the length thereof. An crimping device is attained according to the invention in that a hollow-cylindrical and/or hollow-conical, preferably braided wire netting is provided, in the inner volume ( 14, 14′ ) of which the implant ( 20 ) in the expanded state can be placed, at least via a section thereof, wherein, upon application of a tensile force on at least one end in the longitudinal direction, and/or upon application of a compressive force in the radial direction, the wire netting simultaneous undergoes extension and a reduction of the inner diameter (d, d′) such that the implant ( 20 ) can be transformed, at least along a section thereof, from the expanded state into the compressed state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for crimping an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, which can assume either a compressed state or an expanded state at least over a portion of the length thereof, characterized by a hollow-cylindrical and/or hollow-conical, optionally braided wire netting, in an inner volume of which the implant in the expanded state can be placed, at least via a section thereof, wherein, upon application of a tensile force on at least one end in the longitudinal direction, and/or upon application of a compressive force in the radial direction, the wire netting simultaneously undergoes extension and a reduction of the inner diameter such that the implant can be transformed, at least along a section thereof, from the expanded state into the compressed state. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the wire netting comprises a polymer or a metal alloy, optionally a stainless steel or cobalt-based alloy, the metal alloy optionally containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Cr and Ni. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the wire netting comprises a ring on at least one end in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the ring being displaceable relative to the other end of the wire netting in the longitudinal direction, optionally along a rail. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the device can be placed into a coolant. 
     
     
         5 . A method for crimping an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, which can assume either a compressed state or an expanded state at least over a portion of the length thereof, optionally via the use of a device for crimping according to  claim 1 , the method having the following steps:
 inserting at least a section of the implant, which is initially in the expanded state, into the inner volume of a hollow-cylindrical and/or hollow-conical, optionally braided wire netting; and   reducing the inner diameter via application of a tensile force on at least one end of the wire netting in the longitudinal direction, and/or a compressive force onto the wire netting in the radial direction such that the inserted implant is transformed from the expanded state into the compressed state, at least along a section.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the implant and, optionally the device for crimping, are cooled in a coolant to below a transition temperature before the implant is transformed into the compressed state. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , characterized in that, in order to apply a tensile force, a ring mounted at a first end of the wire netting in the longitudinal direction is displaced optionally on a rail relative to the stationary, opposing second end of the wire netting. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , characterized in that, after the transformation into the compressed state, the compressed section of the implant is inserted into a tubular outer shaft of a catheter. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the implant is also transformed into the compressed state in a second section, which was initially not inserted into the outer shaft, and is then inserted into the outer shaft.