Abstract: A parison tube former utilizes a radial compression heater to heat a very specific portion of a preform tube for stretching. The heater has a plurality of compression dies that form a central cavity for receiving the preform tube. The working surfaces of the compression dies close down onto the outer surface of the preform tube to heat the tube via conduction, which more accurately and precisely heats the preform tube. A first stretched portion of the preform tube is produced by stretching the preform tube after heating. A second portion of the preform tube is then located within the central cavity and is also heated by the radial compression heater and stretched to produce a second stretched portion of the preform tube and an unexpanded portion of the preform tube, or balloon portion of the parison tube.

Abstract: A parison tube former utilizes a radial compression heater to heat a very specific portion of a preform tube for stretching. The heater has a plurality of compression dies that form a central cavity for receiving the preform tube. The working surfaces of the compression dies close down onto the outer surface of the preform tube to heat the tube via conduction, which more accurately and precisely heats the preform tube. A first stretched portion of the preform tube is produced by stretching the preform tube after heating. A second portion of the preform tube is then located within the central cavity and is also heated by the radial compression heater and stretched to produce a second stretched portion of the preform tube and an unexpanded portion of the preform tube, or balloon portion of the parison tube.

Abstract: A radial compression mechanism incorporates a plurality of compression die assemblies arranged radially about and forming a central cylindrical cavity. The die assemblies are coupled to a cam plate by a cam bearing retained in cam guide slots in the cam plate. The cam plate is configured to rotate about the central axis of the central cylindrical cavity and thereby rotate the plurality of compression dies about the central axis. The plurality of dies are constrained by a stationary guide slot configured in the housing of the radial compression mechanism and this stationary guide slot forces the compression dies to move radially inward to close the cylindrical cavity. Therefore, the compression dies both rotate about the central cylindrical cavity and move radially inward to close the cylindrical cavity. This arrangement and die displacement mechanism reduces the size or area required by the dies. Therefore the mechanism can be made smaller.

Abstract: A marker band locator system locates a marker band, from a plurality of marker bands in a hopper, into a band receiver for further processing. A hopper is configured to loosely hold a plurality of marker bands and a band receiver, configured in an indexer, is configured under the hopper such that marker bands gravity feed down to the band receiver. A vacuum source produces a vacuum on the band receiver and if a marker band is properly located therein, the marker band forms a seal with the band receiver and the vacuum pressure exceeds a threshold vacuum pressure level. The indexer then actuates to a secondary position for further processing and removal of the marker band. If the vacuum pressure does not exceed the threshold, a burst of air jostles the marker bands in the hopper until a marker band is seated properly.

Abstract: A radial compression mechanism incorporates an introduction funnel that truncates down to a cylindrical cavity for radial compressing articles. The introduction funnel facilities the loading of an article into the cylindrical cavity and enables incremental radial compression of articles, such as stents. The radial compression mechanism employs a plurality of compression dies that are configured radially about the cylindrical cavity and move in unison to cause the cylindrical cavity to open or close. The compression dies are coupled with a base and drive mechanism for moving them in unison. A method of loading a delivery catheter with a radially compressed article, such as a stent, includes positioning a delivery catheter over a compressed portion of an article that extends from an exit end of the cylindrical catheter. One or more drive mechanism may be used to automatically and incrementally load a compressed article into a delivery catheter.

Abstract: A radial compression mechanism includes a constraining structure with a cut-out defined by a plurality of bearing surfaces. A plurality of die are carried by the constraining structure and arranged in a circular pattern about a central axis. Each die has a base side positioned in parallel juxtaposition to a corresponding bearing surface and each die is constrained to move reciprocally and linearly along the corresponding bearing surface. Working surfaces of the plurality of die cooperate to form a cavity that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A driving mechanism is coupled to at least one of the plurality of die to drive all of the die in unison between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A radial compression mechanism includes a constraining structure with a cut-out defined by a plurality of bearing surfaces. A plurality of die are carried by the constraining structure and arranged in a circular pattern about a central axis. Each die has a base side positioned in parallel juxtaposition to a corresponding bearing surface and each die is constrained to move reciprocally and linearly along the corresponding bearing surface. Working surfaces of the plurality of die cooperate to form a cavity that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A driving mechanism is coupled to at least one of the plurality of die to drive all of the die in unison between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: In various examples, an apparatus includes a needle assembly including an outer cannula including a tubular sidewall disposed around a lumen. At least a portion of the sidewall includes an exterior including a polymeric material configured to inhibit skiving of an interior of a dilator with movement of the outer cannula within the dilator. An inner cannula is disposed within the lumen and is selectively slidable with respect to the outer cannula. A handle is disposed at a proximal portion of the needle assembly. The handle includes a first handle portion coupled to and movable with the outer cannula. A second handle portion is coupled to and movable with the inner cannula, wherein the first handle portion is selectively movable with respect to the second handle portion to extend a distal end of the inner cannula from within the lumen of the outer cannula.

Abstract: In various examples, an apparatus includes a needle assembly including an outer cannula including a tubular sidewall disposed around a lumen. At least a portion of the sidewall includes an exterior including a polymeric material configured to inhibit skiving of an interior of a dilator with movement of the outer cannula within the dilator. An inner cannula is disposed within the lumen and is selectively slidable with respect to the outer cannula. A handle is disposed at a proximal portion of the needle assembly. The handle includes a first handle portion coupled to and movable with the outer cannula. A second handle portion is coupled to and movable with the inner cannula, wherein the first handle portion is selectively movable with respect to the second handle portion to extend a distal end of the inner cannula from within the lumen of the outer cannula.

Abstract: Radial compression mechanism includes a housing defining an inner chamber and a central opening for insertion and removal of product. A plurality of elongated compression dies are movably mounted for reciprocal movement within the inner chamber and define a central product receiving cavity coaxial with the axis of the central opening. Cam followers are affixed to the dies. First cam surfaces are affixed relative to the housing and second cam surfaces are movably mounted relative to the housing. Each cam follower engages a first cam surface to define a first position control constraint, and a second cam surface to define a second position control constraint. Each die has a position relative to each adjacent die and the coaxial central cavity that is controlled by the first position control constraint and the second position control constraint.

Abstract: Radial compression mechanism includes a plurality of dies each having an elongated arcuate body with an outer end pivotally attached to a hinge plate and an inner working tip. The dies are mounted on the hinge plate in an inwardly spiraling orientation with the outer ends positioned in a circle and the working tips cooperating to define a central product-receiving cylindrically-shaped cavity. The product-receiving cavity is transitional between an open and a closed orientation. The working tip of each die has a sliding surface and a working surface with the sliding surface positioned in parallel juxtaposition to the working surface of an adjacent die and a constant width gap therebetween. Driving mechanism is coupled to rotatably drive all of the dies in unison to transition between open and closed orientations. The width of the gap remains constant during transition and between the open and closed orientations.

Abstract: A translating radial compression and holding mechanism includes radially movable dies defining a cylindrical cavity with movable radius. Apparatus coupled to the dies for sequenced lateral movement of the dies in a first direction and an opposite direction, substantially parallel to the central cavity to convey the compressed article along the axis of the central cavity. A compliant tube with a central opening larger than an article to be held, a case surrounding the tube along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of cylindrical bushings positioned between the outer case and the tube. Mechanism associated with the tube for compressing the tube along the longitudinal axis to reduce the diameter of the central opening for gripping a second article residing therein, and the cylindrical cavity of the dies being positioned in axial alignment with the central opening of the tube.

Abstract: Radial compression mechanism includes a plurality of dies each having an elongated arcuate body with an outer end pivotally attached to a hinge plate and an inner working tip. The dies are mounted on the hinge plate in an inwardly spiraling orientation with the outer ends positioned in a circle and the working tips cooperating to define a central product-receiving cylindrically-shaped cavity. The product-receiving cavity is transitional between an open and a closed orientation. The working tip of each die has a sliding surface and a working surface with the sliding surface positioned in parallel juxtaposition to the working surface of an adjacent die and a constant width gap therebetween. Driving mechanism is coupled to rotatably drive all of the dies in unison to transition between open and closed orientations. The width of the gap remains constant during transition and between the open and closed orientations.

Abstract: Radial compression mechanism includes a plurality of dies each having an elongated arcuate body with an outer end pivotally attached to a hinge plate and an inner working tip. The dies are mounted on the hinge plate in an inwardly spiraling orientation with the outer ends positioned in a circle and the working tips cooperating to define a central product-receiving cylindrically-shaped cavity. The product-receiving cavity is transitional between an open and a closed orientation. The working tip of each die has a sliding surface and a working surface with the sliding surface positioned in parallel juxtaposition to the working surface of an adjacent die and a constant width gap therebetween. Driving mechanism is coupled to rotatably drive all of the dies in unison to transition between open and closed orientations. The width of the gap remains constant during transition and between the open and closed orientations.

Abstract: A swager machine and die includes a base with a product holder assembly mounted thereon for linear reciprocating movement between a start and a finished position along an axis of movement. A disc is rotatably mounted on the base and has a swaging die mounted thereon. The swaging die defines a die cavity having an open and a closed position. The die cavity has a longitudinal axis coaxial with an axis of rotation of the disc and coaxial with the axis of movement of the product holder assembly. A hub assembly is rotatably mounted on the disc for relative rotation between the hub assembly and the disc. The hub assembly includes actuating apparatus positioned to engage a portion of the swaging die and move the swaging die from the open to the closed position during relative rotation of the hub assembly and the disc.

Abstract: Radial compression mechanism includes a base member and a plurality of elongated compression dies. The dies are arranged in a generally circular orientation on the base member with a contact surface of each die in sliding contact with a base surface of an adjacent die. A portion of each base surface of each die cooperates with portions of base surfaces of adjacent dies to define a generally cylindrical central cavity moved between open and closed positions by a driving mechanism. The dies are cammingly coupled to the base member and to the driving mechanism so that rotation of the driving mechanism about the central axis causes each die to move generally arcuately about a point of camming engagement with the base member.

Abstract: Balloon pleating mechanism includes a plurality of pleating dies, each having a first planar guiding surface, a second planar guiding surface, a bearing surface, a first working surface, and a second working surface. The plurality of pleating dies are arranged in a generally circular orientation with the first planar guiding surface of each die being in sliding contact with the second planar guiding surface of an adjacent die and the first working surface and the second working surface of each die of the plurality of dies cooperating to define a central cavity. The plurality of pleating dies is further arranged for relative radial movement between an open position and a closed position. A driving mechanism is coupled to each die and designed to move the plurality of dies between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: Radial compression mechanism includes a plurality of dies each having an elongated arcuate body with an outer end pivotally attached to a hinge plate and an inner working tip. The dies are mounted on the hinge plate in an inwardly spiraling orientation with the outer ends positioned in a circle and the working tips cooperating to define a central product-receiving cylindrically-shaped cavity. The product-receiving cavity is transitional between an open and a closed orientation. The working tip of each die has a sliding surface and a working surface with the sliding surface positioned in parallel juxtaposition to the working surface of an adjacent die and a constant width gap therebetween. Driving mechanism is coupled to rotatably drive all of the dies in unison to transition between open and closed orientations. The width of the gap remains constant during transition and between the open and closed orientations.