VASCULAR PROSTHESIS WITH STRESS RELIEF SLOTS

摘要

A vascular prosthesis comprises generally tubular body placeable in contracted and expanded states and has an axial length and a circumferential dimension in the expanded state. The body includes a series of circumferential elements having first lengths. First and second connectors have connector lengths and join alternating ends of adjacent circumferential elements. The first length plus the connector lengths joined thereto equal a total circumferential length. Each connector length is between 2.5% and 25% of the total circumferential length. Adjacent circumferential elements and connectors extending therefrom are separated by a stress relief slot having a relief slot length of more than 50% and less than 95% of the total circumferential length. The stress relief slots have narrow width portions over a majority of the relief slot lengths, the narrow width portions having lateral dimensions of no greater than about 3 mm.