Expandable medical implant

Abstract

A method for crimping a medical implant includes at least one foldable and/or unfoldable structure on or around or over a portion or outer surface of a catheter or of a catheter tip. No pressure beyond a predetermined pressure is exerted on the structure during and/or after crimping of the implant.

1 . A method for crimping a medical implant comprising at least one foldable and unfoldable structure on or around or over a portion or outer surface of a catheter or of a catheter tip or another delivery device or part thereof, wherein no pressure beyond a predetermined pressure is exerted on the structure during and/or after crimping of the implant. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the foldable and unfoldable structure is one or more heart valve leaflets or replacements or substitutes thereof or comprises those. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises one or more interconnecting elements, and wherein the pressure exerted on the structure is determined between the interconnecting elements and the outer surface or the portion of the catheter. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , where the predetermined pressure is 0 N per square millimetre (0 N/mm 2 ). 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , where the predetermined pressure is 5 N per square millimetre (5 N/mm 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . An implant crimped according to a method according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . Delivery device comprising an implant according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
         8 . Crimping device for crimping of an implant comprising at least one foldable and/or unfoldable structure on or around or over a portion or outer surface of a catheter or of a catheter tip with a predetermined pressure exerted on the structure. 
     
     
         9 . Crimping device for crimping of an implant comprising at least one foldable and/or unfoldable structure on or around or over a portion or outer surface of a catheter or of a catheter tip, the crimping device comprising a pressure limiting arrangement for limiting the pressure that is exerted or exertable on the implant or on the structure during and/or after crimping of the implant. 
     
     
         10 . Crimping device according to  claim 8 , comprising a pressure or force sensor measuring the pressure exerted on the structure upon crimping.