US Patent 8468667 Device for compressing a stent

The present disclosure relates to a device for compressing a stent or a stent with a prosthetic heart valve affixed thereto, as well as a method for loading a stent into a medical delivery system. The device may comprise a compressing mechanism designed so as to exert a compressive force in radial direction on at least parts of a stent accommodated within the compressing mechanism such that the cross-section of the stent is reduced to a predefinable value at least at certain areas. The device may further comprise a manipulating mechanism moveable relative to the compressing mechanism for moving at least one clamping means in the radial direction in order to adjust the internal cross-sectional diameter of the compressing mechanism.