Tool and method for compressing a stented prosthesis

Abstract

A tool for compressing a stented prosthesis. The tool includes first and second sets of rollers. The first set includes a plurality of rollers arranged to define a first working region having a first working diameter. The second set includes a plurality of rollers arranged to define a second working region having a second working diameter. The sets of rollers are arranged such that the working regions are axially aligned. The first working diameter is greater than the second working diameter. A stented prosthesis traversing the first working region and then the second working region is forced to a compressed state. In some embodiments, the tool includes one or more intermediate sets of rollers between the first and second sets of rollers, with each of the intermediate sets of rollers defining a working region having a working diameter. The respective working diameters progressively decrease in a downstream direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for compressing a stented prosthesis, the device comprising:
 a first set of rollers including a plurality of rollers arranged to collectively define a first working region having a first working diameter; and   a second set of rollers including a plurality of rollers arranged to collectively define a second working region having a second working diameter;   wherein the first set of rollers is arranged relative to the second set of rollers such that the first and second working regions are axially aligned;   and further wherein the first working diameter is greater than the second working diameter.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool defines an entrance side opposite an exit side and a downstream direction from the entrance side to the exit side, and further wherein the second roller set is located downstream of the first roller set. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the tool is configured to receive a stented prosthesis at the entrance side and compress the stented prosthesis as the stented prosthesis is directed toward the exit side. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the tool is configured to exert a compressive force onto an inserted stented prosthesis along the first working region and the second working region, and further wherein the second set of rollers is configured to exert an elevated compressive force as compared to a compressive force exerted by the first set of rollers. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the rollers of the first set of rollers are substantially identical, and further wherein the rollers of the second set of rollers are substantially identical. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein each of the rollers of the first and second sets of rollers includes an engagement segment and opposing first and second flange segments projecting from opposite sides of the engagement segment, a diameter of the engagement segment being less than a diameter of the flange segments, and further wherein the engagement segment has a height defined as a linear distance between the opposing flange segments, and even further wherein the height of the engagement segment of each of the rollers of the first set of rollers is greater than the height of the engagement segment of each of the rollers of the second set of rollers. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the engagement segment of each of the rollers of the first and second sets of rollers defines a concave shape in extension between the corresponding opposing flange segments. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of rollers includes first and second rollers, and further wherein the device is configured such that a transverse spacing between the first and second rollers is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein at least one roller of the first set of rollers is spring loaded. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing rotatably maintaining the rollers of each of the first and second sets of rollers, the housing including opposing, first and second walls, and further wherein the housing is configured such that the first wall is removably connected to the first and second sets of rollers. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an actuator; and   a gear system linking the actuator to the rollers of each of the first and second sets of rollers;   wherein the tool is configured such that user-prompted movement of the actuator causes rotation of the rollers of each of the first and second sets of rollers.   
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third set of rollers including a plurality of rollers arranged to collectively define a third working region having a third working diameter;   wherein the third working region is axially aligned with the first and second working regions;   and further wherein the second working diameter is greater than the third working diameter.   
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 12 , wherein the third set of rollers is located downstream of the second set of rollers, opposite the first set of rollers. 
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a fourth set of rollers including a plurality of rollers arranged to collectively define a fourth working region having a fourth working diameter;   wherein the fourth working region is axially aligned with the first-third working regions;   and further wherein the third working diameter is greater than the fourth working diameter.