Endoluminal prosthesis comprising a valve and an axially extendable segment

1. A method for deploying a prosthesis, the method comprising:

providing a prosthesis comprising first and second segments, an axially extendable segment coupled to the first and second segments, and a valve coupled to at least one of the axially extendable segment or the second segment;

positioning the axially extendable segment in an initial state during delivery in which the valve lacks an overlap with the first segment; and

allowing the axially extendable segment to move to a different state upon deployment in which the valve at least partially overlaps with the first segment,

wherein a proximal end of the axially extendable segment is coupled to a proximal end of the first segment, and wherein a distal end of the axially extendable segment is coupled to a proximal end of the second segment.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the axially extendable segment is secured to each of the first and second segments in both delivery and deployed states.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first segment comprises a balloon-expandable stent and the second segment comprises a self-expandable stent.

4. A method for deploying a prosthesis having an inflow end and an outflow end that is downstream of the inflow end, the method comprising:

providing a prosthesis comprising first and second segments, an axially extendable segment coupled to the first and second segments, and a valve coupled to at least one of the axially extendable segment or the second segment;

positioning the axially extendable segment in an initial state during delivery in which the valve lacks an overlap with the first segment at a location downstream of the first segment; and

allowing the axially extendable segment to move upstream to a different state upon deployment in which the valve at least partially overlaps with the first segment.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first segment is located proximal to the second segment in the initial state during delivery, and wherein the first segment at least partially overlaps with the second segment upon deployment.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the axially extendable segment is secured to each of the first and second segments in both delivery and deployed states.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first segment comprises a balloon-expandable stent and the second segment comprises a self-expandable stent.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein a proximal end of the axially extendable segment is coupled to a proximal end of the first segment, and wherein a distal end of the axially extendable segment is coupled to a proximal end of the second segment.

9. A method for deploying a prosthesis, the method comprising:

providing a prosthesis comprising first and second segments, an axially extendable segment coupled to the first and second segments, and a valve coupled to at least one of the axially extendable segment or the second segment;

positioning the axially extendable segment in an initial state during delivery in which the valve lacks an overlap with the first segment;

radially expanding the first segment at a location upstream relative to a position of the valve; and

allowing the axially extendable segment to move to a different state upon deployment in which the valve at least partially overlaps with the first segment.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first segment is located proximal to the second segment in the initial state during delivery, and wherein the first segment at least partially overlaps with the second segment upon deployment.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the axially extendable segment is secured to each of the first and second segments in both delivery and deployed states.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first segment comprises a balloon-expandable stent and the second segment comprises a self-expandable stent.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein a proximal end of the axially extendable segment is coupled to a proximal end of the first segment, and wherein a distal end of the axially extendable segment is coupled to a proximal end of the second segment.