Expandable intraluminal endoprosthesis

Abstract

An expandable intraluminal endoprosthesis comprises a tubular member having a first and second end and a wall surface disposed between said first and second end. The wall has a first diameter in a first, unexpanded state which permits intraluminal delivery of the member into a lumen of a body passageway, particularly a blood vessel, whilst being capable of acquiring a second diameter in an expanded and deformed state upon the exertion of a radially outwardly extending force to expand the lumen of the body passageway. At least a part of said wall of said tubular member comprises, at least one substantially continuous winding of mutually staggered primary undulations advancing substantially helically along a longitudinal axis of said tubular member. A first primary undulation is connected to an associated second primary undulation by means of a first connection element. A third primary undulation subsequent to said first primary undulation is connected two an associated fourth primary undulation subsequent to said second primary undulation by means of a second connection element. The first and second connection element are themselves mutually connected by means of a connection strut which lies interposed between said primary undulations, at least in said first unexpanded state.