Monolithic Iris Stent Crimping for Simpler Radial Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stent crimping devices are complex and costly due to their intricate arrangements of multiple parts, necessitating a need for simpler and more cost-effective alternatives for compressing and loading stents, such as replacement heart valve implants.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a housing with a first iris comprising a circumferential ring and radially inward arms, monolithically formed from a single piece, which radially compresses stents by rotating the circumferential ring to change the central opening size, and optionally using a second iris for further compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional stent crimping devices use complex arrangements of multiple parts, then reliable stent compression is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (housing, circumferential ring, and arms) into a monolithically formed single-piece structure. The arms extend radially inward from the circumferential ring, eliminating the need for separate pivoting mechanisms, hinges, or attachment components while maintaining the functional integrity of the stent compression system.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the circumferential ring provides structural support and rotational actuation, the arms provide compression force, and the integrated design eliminates the need for separate pivot mechanisms or attachment hardware. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining compression reliability.
2Force
If conventional stent crimping devices use multiple moving parts with complex interactions, then adequate compression force is generated, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By monolithically forming the housing, circumferential ring, and arms as a single piece, the patent eliminates multiple manufacturing steps, assembly operations, and quality control checks required for separate components. This integration significantly reduces manufacturing cost while preserving the mechanical advantage and force generation capabilities of the original multi-component design.
3Reliability
If conventional devices rely on complex interactions between many moving parts, then stent compression function is achieved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates assembly complexity by monolithically forming all compression components as a single piece. The arms are integrally connected to the circumferential ring, removing the need for pivots, hinges, or attachment mechanisms that would require complex assembly procedures and specialized tooling.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for radially compressing a stent may include a housing including a central opening and a first iris positioned adjacent the housing. The first iris includes a first circumferential ring and a first plurality of arms extending radially inward from the first circumferential ring to define a first central opening. The device may include a second iris axially offset from the first iris and including a second circumferential ring and a second plurality of arms extending radially inward from the second circumferential ring to define a second central opening. Rotation of the circumferential ring(s) relative to the housing changes a size of their respective central opening(s). The plurality of arms may shift between a first configuration and a second configuration via rotation of the circumferential ring(s) relative to the housing.