| abstract |
A luminal graft endoprosthesis or endovascular graft is described which is capable of dilation and support functions and is suitable for the endoluminal repair of vascular lesions and the like. An expandable support or stent is combined with a tubular graft made of a material having two unstressed conditions to provide a combined stent-graft wherein the graft material is secured to either or both of the internal and external surfaces of the stent. The stent-graft may be positioned within a blood vessel of a living patient by an expandable balloon catheter. The graft member is made from a biocompatible material which, when expanded, exceeds its yield point and becomes dimensionally stable without retaining significant residual forces which may cause the stent to collapse after its placement within a blood vessel. |