Prosthesis comprising an expansible or contractile tubular body

An implantation device for complete insertion and implantation of a prosthesis in a body vessel comprising in combination:

• (a) the prosthesis having a radially and axially flexible, elastic tubular body with a predetermined diameter that is variable under axial movement of ends of the body relative to each other and which is composed of a plurality of individually rigid but flexible and elastic thread elements each of which extends in helix configuration along the center line of the body as a common axis, the flexible and elastic elements defining radially self-expanding body, said body provided by a first number of elements having a common direction of winding but be axially displaced relative to each other and crossing a second number of elements also axially displaced relative to each other but having an opposite direction of winding, the crossing of the first and second elements defining at least an obtuse angle;
• and
• (b) load applying means placing said tubular body in a reduced diameter state prior to the insertion, said load applying means removed from said body after said insertion of the tubular body so as to permit said tubular body to radially self-expand in the vessel.