Expandable coil endoluminal prosthesis

A coiled endoluminal prosthesis comprising:

• a coiled, self-expanding stent body having first and second edge elements separated by connector elements;
• said body movable between a reduced diameter state and an expanded diameter state;
• and
• a graft material covering at least part of the body to create a coiled stent graft, having an interior, in which adjacent turns thereof define a generally helical gap, opening into the interior, therebetween.

A coiled endoluminal prosthesis comprising:

• a body comprising a coiled ribbon of material with first and second edge elements separated by connector elements;
• said body movable between a reduced diameter state, extending along a body axis, and an expanded diameter state;
• and
• said connector elements being at an acute angle to the edge elements when in the expanded diameter state, said angle chosen so that the connector elements lie generally parallel to the body axis when in the reduced diameter state so to provide a smoother appearance when in the reduced diameter state.

A method for enhancing non-turbulent flow within a vessel comprising:

• placing a coiled endoluminal prosthesis at a target site within a vessel, the coiled endoluminal prosthesis comprising:
• a coiled body;
• a graft material covering at least part of the coiled body to create a coiled stent graft, having an interior, in which adjacent turns thereof define a generally helical gap, opening into the interior, therebetween;
• expanding the stent graft thereby covering a first generally helical path of the vessel wall with the expanded stent graft;
• and
• leaving a second generally helical path of the vessel wall uncovered by the stent graft.

A method for enhancing even proliferation of cells of a vessel wall comprising:

• placing a coiled endoluminal prosthesis at a target site within a vessel, the coiled endoluminal prosthesis comprising:
• a coiled body comprising openings formed therethrough;
• a graft material covering at least some of the openings to create a coiled stent graft, having an interior, in which adjacent turns thereof define a generally helical gap, opening into the interior, therebetween;
• expanding the stent graft thereby covering a first generally helical path of the vessel wall with the expanded stent graft;
• and
• leaving a second generally helical path of the vessel wall uncovered by the stent graft.