Apparatus and methods for deployment of linked prosthetic segments

A luminal prosthesis comprising:

• a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially, wherein a group of two or more adjacent prosthetic stent segments is separable upon expansion from the remaining prosthetic stent segments;
• and
• a coupling structure between at least some of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments for limiting relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the coupling structure comprises a deflectable portion and a coupling portion, wherein deflection of the deflectable portion releases the coupling portion from the adjacent prosthetic stent segments.

A luminal prosthesis comprising:

• a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially, wherein a group of two or more adjacent prosthetic stent segments is separable upon expansion from the remaining prosthetic stent segments;
• and
• a coupling structure between at least some of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments, wherein the coupling structure comprises a coating layer across adjacent prosthetic stent segments, permitting a first group of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to separate from a second group of the prosthetic stent segments upon differential radial expansion of the first group relative to the second group and the coupling structure maintains an attachment between adjacent prosthetic stent segments in the first group which have been expanded together.