Patent ID: 6451049
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A stent having a substantially tubular body defining a longitudinal axis comprising:first and second adjacent annular segments, each annular segment defining a substantially sinusoidal shape having a plurality of peaks and valleys, the peaks of the first annular segment extending toward the second annular segment and being aligned longitudinally with the valleys of the second annular segment, the valleys of the second annular segment extending toward the first annular segment; a plurality of bridge elements each having a U-shaped portion between first and second connector arms, the first connector arm of at least one bridge element having a first region connected between a first peak and a first valley of the first annular segment and the second connector arm of the at least one bridge element having a second region connected between a first peak and a first valley of the second annular segment, the at least one bridge element having a third region between the first and second regions, the first region having a first radial thickness, the second region having a second radial thickness, the third region having a third radial thickness, the third radial thickness being greater than either of the first and second radial thicknesses.