Patent ID: 6878161
Filing Date: 2005-04-12
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An endoluminal prosthesis comprising: a tubular graft comprising a graft material forming a lumen for the flow of body fluid therethrough; at least one self-expanding annular support member coupled to the graft material, wherein each of the support members has a first radially compressed configuration and a second expanded configuration in which the tubular graft is supported by the at least one annular support member; and at least one restraining member configured to restrain at least a portion of the at least one self-expanding annular support member in the first radially compressed configuration, wherein the at least one restraining member has a selected radial release force and is constructed to release the at least one self-expanding annular support member to permit it to expand to the second configuration upon application of an outward radial force at least as great as the selected radial release force of the restraining member.