STENT-GRAFT WITH INCREASED FLEXIBILITY

摘要

A composite stent-graft tubular prosthesis (10) includes an inner PTFE tubular structure (4), an outer PTFE tubular structure (6) positioned about the inner PTFE tubular structure (4) and a diametrically deformable stent (2) interposed between the inner (4) and outer PTFE tubular structures (6). The interposed stent (2) is formed from an elongate wire (12) helically wound with a plurality of longitudinally spaced turns into an open configuration. Each of the turns includes successive aligned upper (14) and lower wave-like peaks (16). Selective ones of said upper (14) and lower peaks (16) are exposed exteriorly of the outer PTFE structure (6) to render the composite prosthesis longitudinally flexible.