Abstract: A radially expandable endoluminal covered stent assembly and a method and apparatus for making the same. A longitudinally and radially expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular graft is circumferentially engaged about one or more radially expandable stents and is retained thereon by a radial recoil force exerted by the tubular graft against the stent. The graft is retained on the stent or stents prior to and during endoluminal delivery and radial expansion without the use of adhesives, sutures or other attachment means. Further, upon radial expansion the stent or stents do not require retaining means for preventing contraction, despite the inherent recoil imparted by the tubular graft. The covered stent is assembled by joining a dilation mandrel and a stent mandrel, placing the graft on the dilation mandrel where it is radially expanded, and passing the expanded graft over the stent that is positioned on the stent mandrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a flanged polytetrafluoroethylene cuffed section from a tubular polytetrafluoroethylene graft. The flanged polytetrafluoroethylene graft is well suited for use as a distal bypass graft, for arteriovenous grafting, or as a hemodialysis access graft. The graft includes an integral terminal polytetrafluoroethylene flanged skirt or cuff section which facilitates an end-to-side anastomosis directly between an artery and the polytetrafluoroethylene flanged graft without need for an intervening venous collar or venous patch.