Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen. The stiffness of the stiff, flexible, and transition regions may be controlled by varying the cross-sectional area of the stent components and/or by varying the stent architecture.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering an endoluminal implant to a distal deployment location inside a body lumen from a proximal access location outside the lumen. The system comprises the implant, a catheter, and a slidable sheath having an advanced position in which the sheath covers the implant and a retracted position in which the implant is exposed. The catheter comprises a stabilizer having a distal end adjacent the implant proximal end and/or a catheter tip attached to a central core slideably disposed relative to the implant and having a proximal end adjacent the implant distal end. The catheter tip proximal end and/or the stabilizer distal end comprises a docking section adapted to releasably engage a portion of the implant. Each docking section has an engagement geometry comprising a flared engagement surface that extends inside a short axial length of the implant or a pocket having a bottleneck geometry.