KINK RESISTANT STENT-GRAFT

摘要

This invention is a stent graft (2) including a stent member (6) having an inner surface and an outer surface, a generally tubular graft member (4) and a coupling member (8) that couples the stent member (6) to th e graft member (4). The coupling member (8), which in the preferred embodiment is in the form of a ribbon, covers only a portion of th e inner or outer surface of the stent member (6) and secures the stent member (6) and graft member (4) to one another. Alternatively, the coupling member (8) can be described as interconnecting less than entirely the inner or outer surface of the graft member (4) to the stent member (6). With this construction, regions of the stem member (6) do not interface with the coupling member (8). Shear stresses between the stent member (6} and the coupling member (8) and the risk of tearing the graft (4) or coupling member (8) or delamination therebetween may he reduced as compared to a fully enveloped stent member (6). This construction also provides improved flexibility and kink resistance.