A plurality of endoluminal segments axially connected by fiber bridges is
disclosed. The endoluminal segments may either be balloon-expandable or
self-expanding, with the preferred embodiment being superelastic nitinol.
The intraluminal segments may possess a textured surface or at least one
geometric feature per segment, preferably located at the apex of a strut
pair comprising the intraluminal segment, preferably capable of serving
as an anchoring point for the fiber bridges. These geometric features may
transmit axially compressive loads during deployment from a device such
as a catheter, and may further be capable of interlocking the endoluminal
segments when constrained within a device such as a catheter. The fibers
comprising the bridges may be polymeric, silk, collagen, bioabsorbable,
or a blend thereof. The fiber network comprising the bridges may be
regularly oriented, randomly oriented, localized, or continuous.
Moreover, the intraluminal segments and fiber bridges may be individually
impregnated with therapeutic material, or may both be impregnated with
therapeutic material.