Importance

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Abstract

Systems and methods for mounting a stent onto the balloon of a balloon catheter. In one embodiment, a kit is provided that includes two instruments, a first being a loader tool and a second being a profiler tool. The loader tool can be a handheld device that includes a handle at one end of the tool. A tube extends outwardly from the handle, and a wire extends is axially through the tube and projects outwardly from the tube. A balloon catheter can slide along the central wire until the balloon is delivered into the interior of the tube. A stent that is disposed about the periphery of the tube can be mounted onto the balloon by grasping the handle of the loader tool and pulling the handle and tube away from the catheter and stent whine the catheter and stent are maintained in a fixed relationship. To facilitate this mounting process, a profiler tube is included that allows a physician to provide the balloon with the proper profile to allow for, or to facilitate, the delivery of the balloon into the interior of the tube of the loader tool.

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First Claim