Abstract: Prosthesis delivery devices and methods are provided that enable precise control of prosthesis position during deployment. The catheter for delivering a prosthesis to a treatment site in a body lumen typically carries one or more self-expanding tubular prostheses within a sheath. A radially expandable control member is positionable within the prostheses and has an expanded shape which engages an inner surface of the prostheses to urge the prostheses outwardly against the sheath. The radially expandable control member therefore controls axial position of the prostheses during deployment. Thus one or more prostheses may be deployed at a treatment site precisely. When multiple prostheses are deployed, excessive spacing or overlap between adjacent prostheses is minimized. The prostheses of the present invention are often deployed in stenotic lesions in peripheral arteries as well as coronary arteries and other body lumens.

Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using stent structures comprising a plurality of radially expansible rings where at least some of the rings comprise axially extending elements which interleave with axially extending elements on adjacent unconnected rings. The ring structures may be open cell structures or closed cell structures, and the axially extending elements will typically be formed as part of the open cell or closed cell structure.

Abstract: An expandable stent comprising a tubular body made up of a plurality of separated tubular elements (1) arranged along a common longitudinal axis. Each tubular element (1) comprises a plurality of rhombic-shaped closed cell elements (2) joined by circumferentially extending linking members (3). The closed cell elements (2) are expandable to allow the tubular elements, and hence the stent itself, to expand. In the direction of the longitudinal axis of the stent, the extremities of each of the closed cell elements has an enlarged loop (30) with waisted portions (33) which allow the tubular elements to interlock to create a stable structure, at least when in the unexpanded condition.