Abstract: A bifurcated graft is formed from a series of individual components which are intraluminally delivered apart from one another and then assembled to form a fully supported structure. The modular system includes a base member and one or more grafts connected thereto. The base member preferably includes a portion which gradually increases in diameter. A tubular device for inserting the components of the modular system and a method employing the modular system for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intraluminal stent is constructed to provide improved hoop strength over conventional stents. The stent includes a plurality of elongated members extending in a circumferential direction around an axis and curving in two opposite directions transverse to the circumferential direction. Each of the elongated members is curved over substantially its entire extent, preferably so that the curved portions define an arc of a circle. The elongated members are joined to one another at cusps pointing in opposite axial directions. The cusps are movable in opposite axial directions between an expanded condition in which the opposed cusps are relatively close to one another and the elongated members define an expanded circumference, and a collapsed condition in which the opposed cusps are relatively distant to one another and the elongated members define a collapsed circumference which is smaller than the expanded circumference.

Abstract: A bifurcated graft is formed from a series of individual components which are intraluminally delivered apart from one another and then assembled to form a fully supported structure. The modular system includes a base member and one or more grafts connected thereto. The base member preferably includes a portion which gradually increases in diameter. A tubular device for inserting the components of the modular system and a method employing the modular system for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bifurcated graft is formed from a series of individual components which are intraluminally delivered apart from one another and then assembled to form a fully supported structure. The modular system includes a base member and one or more grafts connected thereto. The base member preferably includes a portion which gradually increases in diameter. A tubular device for inserting the components of the modular system and a method employing the modular system for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intraluminal stent is constructed to provide improved hoop strength over conventional stents. The stent includes a plurality of elongated members extending in a circumferential direction around an axis and curving in two opposite directions transverse to the circumferential direction. Each of the elongated members is curved over substantially its entire extent, preferably so that the curved portions define an arc of a circle. The elongated members are joined to one another at cusps pointing in opposite axial directions. The cusps are movable in opposite axial directions between an expanded condition in which the opposed cusps are relatively close to one another and the elongated members define an expanded circumference, and a collapsed condition in which the opposed cusps are relatively distant to one another and the elongated members define a collapsed circumference which is smaller than the expanded circumference.

Abstract: Graft prostheses are woven with cross-weave patterns to prevent unravelling and to increase suture hold strength. A vascular graft according to the invention is woven as a continuous tube by shuttling a continuous weft thread through a double-layer array of warp threads. As the weft thread is shuttled through the warp pattern, groups of warp threads are retained in parallel relationship to each other while interspersed pairs of warp threads are crossed over each other. This results in graft having normal weave patterns circumferentially alternating with cross-weave patterns.