Richard M Kimes

US Patent:

61088862, Aug 29, 2000

Filed:

Jun 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/340967

Inventors:

Richard M. Kimes - Carlsbad CA
Michael S. Mirizzi - San Jose CA

International Classification:

A61M 2900

US Classification:

29280

Abstract:

A stent crimping tool for firmly and uniformly crimping a stent onto a balloon catheter is constructed from a crimping section holding the stent and the balloon catheter therein, wherein the crimping is actuated by a shaft having an input end and an output end, engaging the crimping section at the output end. The shaft has a detent formed into the input end. A gripping member has an internal cavity to receive the input end, and includes a hole proximate to the shaft, wherein a ball bearing and a compression spring are located within the hole to bias the ball bearing toward the shaft and to engage the detent. When a torque is applied to the gripping member, it is transmitted through the ball bearing to the shaft; if the torque exceeds a predetermined magnitude, it overcomes the force of the spring on the ball bearing causing the bearing to slide out of the detent thereby disconnecting the applied torque from the shaft. The crimping section can be a rubber tube having a lumen holding the stent and catheter. When the shaft compresses the rubber tube as it advances, the lumen collapses and crimps the stent onto the catheter.

US Patent:

62406159, Jun 5, 2001

Filed:

Sep 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/409198

Inventors:

Richard M. Kimes - Carlsbad CA
Michael S. Mirizzi - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

B23P 1100

US Classification:

29516

Abstract:

A stent crimping tool for firmly and uniformly crimping a stent onto a balloon catheter is constructed from a crimping section holding the stent and the balloon catheter therein, wherein the crimping is actuated by a shaft having an input end and an output end, engaging the crimping section at the output end. The shaft has a detent formed into the input end. A gripping member has an internal cavity to receive the input end, and includes a hole proximate to the shaft, wherein a ball bearing and a compression spring are located within the hole to bias the ball bearing toward the shaft and to engage the detent. When a torque is applied to the gripping member, it is transmitted through the ball bearing to the shaft; if the torque exceeds a predetermined magnitude, it overcomes the force of the spring on the ball bearing causing the bearing to slide out of the detent thereby disconnecting the applied torque from the shaft. The crimping section can be a rubber tube having a lumen holding the stent and catheter. When the shaft compresses the rubber tube as it advances, the lumen collapses and crimps the stent onto the catheter.

US Patent:

59746521, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

May 5, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/072925

Inventors:

Richard M. Kimes - Carlsbad CA
Michael S. Mirizzi - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61M 2900
B23P 1100
B23P 1902

US Classification:

29516

Abstract:

A stent crimping tool for firmly and uniformly crimping a stent onto a balloon catheter is constructed from a crimping section holding the stent and the balloon catheter therein, wherein the crimping is actuated by a shaft having an input end and an output end, engaging the crimping section at the output end. The shaft has a detent formed into the input end. A gripping member has an internal cavity to receive the input end, and includes a hole proximate to the shaft, wherein a ball bearing and a compression spring are located within the hole to bias the ball bearing toward the shaft and to engage the detent. When a torque is applied to the gripping member, it is transmitted through the ball bearing to the shaft; if the torque exceeds a predetermined magnitude, it overcomes the force of the spring on the ball bearing causing the bearing to slide out of the detent thereby disconnecting the applied torque from the shaft. The crimping section can be a rubber tube having a lumen holding the stent and catheter. When the shaft compresses the rubber tube as it advances, the lumen collapses and crimps the stent onto the catheter.