| abstract |
SUMMARY The present invention provides a modular endoluminal tubular prosthesis (60), particularly stents and stent-grafts (10), for the treatment of disease states, particularly aneurysms. The modular sections of the prosthesis, or "prosthesis modules" (66), are selectively combined to form a composite prosthesis with properties tailored to the specific needs of the patient. Each prosthesis module (66) preferably includes one or more standard contact ends (84) for engagement with other modules (66) and includes a module / module contact surface (74, 76) typically include overlapping and / or sticking ends within a predetermined axial extent. Advantageously, axial length, cross section, perimeter, elastic inflation force, axial flexibility, straight penetration, straight extensibility, radial compatibility, straight / tubular wall sealing And the properties of fixed and other prostheses vary along the axis of the composite prosthesis and the axis of each prosthesis module. The module (66) is preferably introduced separately into the lumen of the patient's body so that the composite prosthesis is assembled in situ. |