| abstract |
An endoprosthesis is provided which includes a stent component and a graft component capturing a portion of the stent component. The stent component is made of generally malleable material arranged to provide the stent component with a collapsed transluminal positioning configuration and an expanded, deployed configuration. The stent component has adjacent end windings that are welded together. In a preferred arrangement, a plurality of these welds define a spine-like welded arrangement, and a number of these arrangements are positioned generally circumferentially around the ends of the stent component. The graft component extends generally between the welded end portions of the stent component, with limited overlap being possible. Also provided is a method for forming this endoprosthesis and a procedure by which the endoprosthesis is implanted by deployment with a suitable expansion device. |