COILED SHEET STENT HAVING HELICAL ARTICULATION AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

An endo-prosthesis (10) is provided having at least first and second resilient coiled sheet portions (11, 12), and an intermediate region (13) comprising a helical articulation. The coiled sheet portions may be of the same or different diameters so as to accommodate a taper in the body lumen, while the helical articulation comprises a mesh portion that provides both flexibility and high radial strength, and which contracts to its delivery profile with relatively few turns. The coiled sheet portions also may be of the same or different lengths, and for very long devices may be interspersed between a plurality of helical articulation portions. The pitch of the helical articulation may be varied to create a partial telescoping of the helical articulation within one of the first and second coiled sheet portions when in a contracted state. The prosthesis may also be used for treating bifurcated vessels.