ENDOVASCULAR PROSTHESIS HAVING A LAYER OF BIOLOGICAL TISSUE

摘要

An apparatus ( 10 ) for grafting of a blood vessel ( 12 ) and a method of forming the apparatus ( 10 ) is provided. The apparatus ( 10 ) comprises an expandable support member ( 16 ) having inner and outer surfaces ( 36 and 34 ). The outer surface ( 34 ) of the expandable support member ( 16 ) is for engaging and adhering to an inside surface ( 68 ) of the blood vessel ( 12 ). A layer of biological tissue ( 14 ) is attached to the inner surface ( 36 ) of the support member ( 16 ). The layer of biological tissue ( 14 ) has an uninterrupted inwardly facing surface ( 50 ) for extending confluently with the inside surface ( 68 ) of the blood vessel ( 12 ) to provide resistance to thrombosis and platelet deposition.