Expandable stent-graft system having diameter reducing connectors

A stent-graft apparatus comprising:

• a tubular graft having a proximal portion including a proximal end, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion including a distal end;
• a first stent ring attached to the perimeter of the graft;
• a first releasable diameter reducing connector extending around the first stent ring;
• a second stent ring attached to the perimeter of the graft;
• and
• a second diameter reducing connector extending around the second stent ring;
• a releasable stent portion extending from at least one of the proximal and distal ends;
• a retractable trigger wire disposed adjacent a surface of the grant and extending longitudinally along the length of the graft, the trigger wire releasably attached to the first and second releasable diameter reducing connectors and the releasable stent portion.

A method for delivering a stent-graft to a body vessel, the method comprising:

• delivering, in a compressed condition, an expandable stent-graft system to a body vessel, the system including an expandable stent-graft comprising:
• a proximal end;
• a distal end;
• a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
• a tubular graft having a proximal portion including a proximal end, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion including a distal end;
• a stent ring attached to the perimeter of the graft;
• a releasable diameter reducing connector extending around the stent ring;
• a releasable stent portion extending from at least one of the proximal and distal ends;
• a retractable trigger wire disposed adjacent a surface of the stent-graft and extending longitudinally along the length of the stent-graft, the trigger wire releasably attached to the releasable diameter reducing connector and the releasable stent portion;
• withdrawing the trigger wire a first longitudinal distance along the length of the stent-graft;
• in response to withdrawing the trigger wire a first longitudinal distance, releasing the releasable stent portion to expand the bare stent portion in a radial direction and toward engagement with a wall of the body vessel;
• in response to releasing the releasable bare stent portion, withdrawing the trigger wire a second longitudinal distance along the length of the stent-graft;
• in response to withdrawing the trigger wire a second longitudinal distance, releasing the stent ring to expand the stent ring in a radial direction toward engagement with the wall of the body vessel.