| abstract |
A stent-graft with increased longitudinal flexibility that is deployed within a body lumen for supporting the lumen and repairing luminal aneurysms. In a preferred embodiment, the stent-graft is located and expanded within a blood vessel to repair aortic aneurysms. The stent-graft is comprised of an expandable stent portion, an expandable graft portion and at least one elongated rail. The stent portion and graft portion are moveable between the terminal ends of the rail(s) and relative to the rails so that it can conform to the shape of a vessel in which it is deployed. The stent-graft provides increased longitudinal flexibility within a vessel. Also, the stent-graft of the present invention does not kink after expansion, and thus, eliminates the potential for the graft portion occluding the blood flow lumen of the vessel in which it is deployed. Moreover, the wear on the graft is reduced and its longevity increased. |