Graft to repair a body passageway

Claim 1

A graft for intraluminal delivery to repair a body passageway, comprising: a tube having first and second ends and a wall surface disposed between the two ends, the tube adapted to be disposed within the body passageway; and means for securing the tube within the body passageway, the securing means including a thin-walled tubular member having, a longitudinal axis, an interior, first and second ends and a smooth outer wall surface disposed between the first and second ends, the wall surface of the securing means having a substantially uniform thickness and a plurality of slots formed therein, the slots being disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, the tube being secured to the outer wall surface of the tubular member; the tubular member having a first diameter which permits intraluminal delivery of the tubular member and tube into the body passageway and the tubular member and tube having a second, expanded and deformed diameter, upon an application from the interior of the tubular member of a radially, outwardly extending force, which second diameter is variable and dependent upon the amount of force applied to the tubular member, the tube and tubular member each having a predetermined length, the length of the tube and tubular member being substantially the same, whereby the tubular member may be expanded and deformed to secure the tube within the body passageway.