Self-curving stent-graft

A method for treating a subject, comprising:

• transvascularly introducing a generally tubular endovascular self-curving stent-graft into a blood vessel of the subject while the stent-graft is in a radially-compressed delivery state, which stent-graft (1) includes a self-curving longitudinal portion having proximal and distal ends, (2) is configured to transition from the radially-compressed delivery state to a radially-expanded state, wherein, when the stent-graft is unconstrained in the radially-expanded state, the self-curving longitudinal portion of the stent-graft is curved so as to define an innermost curve and an outermost curve, and (3) includes:
• (i) a plurality of circumferential strut members, disposed at respective axial positions along the self-curving longitudinal portion of the stent-graft, surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the self-curving longitudinal portion of the stent-graft;
• (ii) a graft member, which includes one or more substantially blood-impervious flexible sheets, and which is fixed to the circumferential strut members;
• (iii) a compression-generation spring, which (a) is in an elongated configuration when the stent-graft is in the radially-compressed state, and (b) overlaps respective first portions of at least two of the circumferential strut members;
• and
• (iv) an anti-buckling spring, which (a) overlaps respective second portions of at least two of the circumferential strut members, (b) is shaped so as to define a plurality of curves, and (c) is in fixed orientation with respect to the graft member such that the curves reside substantially in a plane that is substantially parallel to the surface of the graft member,
• wherein the anti-buckling spring and the compression-generation spring are together configured to curve the self-curving longitudinal portion of the stent-graft when the stent-graft is unconstrained in the radially-expanded state, such that (A) a lesser length of the self-curving longitudinal portion of the stent-graft, measured along the innermost curve, is less than 80% of a greater length of the self-curving longitudinal portion of the stent-graft, measured along the outermost curve;
• and
• creating a tight seal between the graft member at the proximal end of the self-curving longitudinal portion of the stent-graft and a wall of the curved blood vessel, by transitioning the stent-graft to the radially-expanded state in the curved blood vessel.