A covered self-expanding stent (114, 130, 132) with a length of 200 mm or more can be restrained against axial movement with a pusher (40) within the lumen of the stent that carries a spiral of wire (48) that provides protrusions that are accommodated within a luminal covering layer (24) radially inside the stent body. The protrusions distribute the stress over the full length of the stent. The pusher can be removed from the stent lumen by &ldquounscrewing&rdquo the spiral relative to the covering layer (24). When the stent expands, the pusher can be withdrawn proximally, out of the stent lumen, without any need for rotatory movement. The covered stent can utilize a variety of stenting rings (110-118) along its length that manifest different mechanical properties so that the implant can exhibit mechanical properties that vary over its length, to suit the specific body and stenting site to which it is to be introduced.
