Endoluminal vascular prosthesis

Abstract

Disclosed is a tubular endoluminal vascular prosthesis, useful in treating, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The prosthesis comprises a self expandable wire support structure surrounded by a flexible tubular membrane. A delivery catheter and methods are also disclosed.

1 - 51 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         52 . An endoluminal prosthesis, comprising: 
 a tubular wire support having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending therethrough;    the wire support comprising a plurality of tabular segments, each tabular segment comprising a series of proximal and distal bends, wherein the tubular segments are joined by a connector extending therebetween; the plurality of tubular segments extending from a proximal region of the tubular wire support to a distal region of the tubular wire support;    wherein the distal region of the wire support radially expands in response to distally directed anatomical forces on the tubular wire support to increase resistance to distal migration of the prosthesis.    
     
     
         53 . The endoluminal prosthesis as in  claim 52 , wherein the prostheses is self expandable from a first smaller diameter to a second larger diameter.  
     
     
         54 . An endoluminal prosthesis as in  claim 52 , further comprising a polymeric sleeve on the wire support.  
     
     
         55 . An endoluminal prosthesis as in  claim 54 , wherein the polymeric sleeve comprises ePTFE.