Abstract: A system for reducing the diameter of a stent comprises a stent contracting assembly. The assembly comprises a plurality of blades, which define a diameter reduction chamber. The chamber has an open diameter configuration and a closed diameter configuration. The plurality of blades comprises active blades and floating blades, wherein each active blade is engaged to an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is constructed and arranged to move each active blade from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration. Each floating blade is moved from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration only as a result of the movement of the active blades.

Abstract: A system for reducing the diameter of a stent comprises a stent contracting assembly. The assembly comprises a plurality of blades, which define a diameter reduction chamber. The chamber has an open diameter configuration and a closed diameter configuration. The plurality of blades comprises active blades and floating blades, wherein each active blade is engaged to an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is constructed and arranged to move each active blade from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration. Each floating blade is moved from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration only as a result of the movement of the active blades.

Abstract: A protective sheet loader may comprise a first roller, a second roller, a sheet of material spanning between the first and second rollers, and a loading mechanism. A portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber of an apparatus for reducing the size of a medical device. A medical device may be placed within the crimping chamber such that the sheet of material forms a barrier between the walls of the crimping chamber and the medical device and prevents cross-contamination between the medical device and the crimping device. After a crimping step is completed, the medical device and the contaminated portion of the sheet of material may be removed from the crimping chamber, and a clean portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber.

Abstract: A system for reducing the diameter of a stent comprises a stent contracting assembly. The assembly comprises a plurality of blades, which define a diameter reduction chamber. The chamber has an open diameter configuration and a closed diameter configuration. The plurality of blades comprises active blades and floating blades, wherein each active blade is engaged to an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is constructed and arranged to move each active blade from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration. Each floating blade is moved from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration only as a result of the movement of the active blades.

Abstract: A protective sheet loader may comprise a first roller, a second roller, a sheet of material spanning between the first and second rollers, and a loading mechanism. A portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber of an apparatus for reducing the size of a medical device. A medical device may be placed within the crimping chamber such that the sheet of material forms a barrier between the walls of the crimping chamber and the medical device and prevents cross-contamination between the medical device and the crimping device. After a crimping step is completed, the medical device and the contaminated portion of the sheet of material may be removed from the crimping chamber, and a clean portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber.

Abstract: A protective sheet loader may comprise a first roller, a second roller, a sheet of material spanning between the first and second rollers, and a loading mechanism. A portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber of an apparatus for reducing the size of a medical device. A medical device may be placed within the crimping chamber such that the sheet of material forms a barrier between the walls of the crimping chamber and the medical device and prevents cross-contamination between the medical device and the crimping device. After a crimping step is completed, the medical device and the contaminated portion of the sheet of material may be removed from the crimping chamber, and a clean portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber.

Abstract: A system for reducing the diameter of a stent comprises a stent contracting assembly. The assembly comprises a plurality of blades, which define a diameter reduction chamber. The chamber has an open diameter configuration and a closed diameter configuration. The plurality of blades comprises active blades and floating blades, wherein each active blade is engaged to an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is constructed and arranged to move each active blade from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration. Each floating blade is moved from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration only as a result of the movement of the active blades.

Abstract: A protective sheet loader may comprise a first roller, a second roller, a sheet of material spanning between the first and second rollers, and a loading mechanism. A portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber of an apparatus for reducing the size of a medical device. A medical device may be placed within the crimping chamber such that the sheet of material forms a barrier between the walls of the crimping chamber and the medical device and prevents cross-contamination between the medical device and the crimping device. After a crimping step is completed, the medical device and the contaminated portion of the sheet of material may be removed from the crimping chamber, and a clean portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber.