Patent ID: 8348992
Filing Date: 2013-01-08
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A stent having a plurality of cells and a plurality of segments which form a tubular body, the body having a circumference and comprising: a plurality of annular elements, each annular element having a compressed state and an expanded state, each annular element formed in a generally serpentine wave pattern and containing alternating valley portions and peak portions, a plurality of connecting members connecting adjacent annular elements to form a plurality of cells which are bounded at a first end by a portion of one annular element, at a second end by a portion of another annular element and two connecting members which extend between the one annular element and the other annular element, the first end offset in a circumferential direction from the second end relative to the circumference of the body, each annular element having a structure, the structure of a first annular element of the stent providing the stent with less compression resistance than provided by the structure of a second annular element of the stent, the valley portions of the first annular element having the same shape as the peak portions of the first annular element, wherein the first annular element is located at an end of the stent, and wherein each cell of the stent is bounded at a first end by a portion of one annular element, at a second end by a portion of another annular element, and by two connecting members which extend between the one annular element and the other annular element.