Importance

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Abstract

A device for mounting a stent on a delivery system such as a balloon catheter and methods of making and using the device. Typically, the device includes an elongated, preferably transparent body having an axial aperture and two axial grooves in the outside surface. A stent is located in the axial aperture, preferably in a correspondingly configured recess. A sleeve of low friction, preferably transparent, material is situated inside the stent with the stent in tension on the sleeve. To mount the stent on the a balloon catheter or the like, the balloon is inserted into the sleeve with the balloon preferably in compression. The position of the balloon within the device is visible through the sleeve and body. The sleeve is pulled out of the aperture, then the body is split along the grooves and removed. Typically, the device is made by placing a tubular sleeve of low friction material over a pin, placing a stent in tension over the sleeve, forming two body halves having cooperating grooves, bringing the body halves together to form an axial aperture over said stent, bonding the two body halves together and removing the pin.

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First Claim