Implantable medical grafts fabricated of metallic or pseudometallic films
of biocompatible materials having a plurality of microperforations
passing through the film in a pattern that imparts fabric-like qualities
to the graft or permits the geometric deformation of the graft. The
implantable graft is preferably fabricated by vacuum deposition of
metallic and/or pseudometallic materials into either single or
multi-layered structures with the plurality of microperforations either
being formed during deposition or after deposition by selective removal
of sections of the deposited film. The implantable medical grafts are
suitable for use as endoluminal or surgical grafts and may be used as
vascular grafts, stent-grafts, skin grafts, shunts, bone grafts, surgical
patches, non-vascular conduits, valvular leaflets, filters, occlusion
membranes, artificial sphincters, tendons and ligaments.