A medical device loading and carrier assembly for a medical device includes a tubular holder of transparent material so as to be see-through. The holder includes a flared proximal end for compressing a gripper element of a device carrier. The carrier can thus be activated to grip a medical device by pushing the gripper element into the tubular holder. A safety lock locks the medical device and carrier assembly in the holder to prevent inadvertent removal during storage and transportation. The holder has a distal end designed to be connected to the proximal end of a delivery sheath, such that the medical device and device carrier assembly can be slid from the holder into the sheath.
