US Patent 11638644 Crimping device

A crimping system for a prosthetic heart valve comprises a split funnel comprising an elongated annular body having an enlarged insertion end, a narrower outlet end, and a central opening extending along a central longitudinal axis of the split funnel, between the insertion end and the outlet end. The body comprises first and second slots extending axially along opposite sides of the body from the outlet end toward the insertion end, the first and second slots defining first and second split portions of the body extending circumferentially between the first and second slots on opposite sides of the central opening. The crimping device is configured to crimp a prosthetic heart valve moving axially through the central opening from the insertion end to the outlet end while allowing portions of the prosthetic heart valve to protrude through the first and second slots and remain in an expanded configuration.