Patent ID: 6572649
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An expandable, generally tubular, intraluminal stent, having a longitudinal axis, for insertion within the lumen of a vessel, comprising:a. a rigid center portion to internally support the vessel; and b. a plurality of end links disposed in a ring at each end of the center portion, the end links having first and second ends, the first end of each end link being connected to the second end of an adjacent end link, each end link having a first and a second leg joined at a fulcrum so that moment arms provided by the first and second legs permit radial flexibility of the stent to gradually decrease from the ends of the stent toward the center portion of the stent, wherein the end links have a width which is greatest at the fulcrum and tapers towards the first and second ends.