A method of creating a body suitable for implantation into an anatomical structure for use as a stent, the body having two ends (2, 12), the method comprising: bending one or a plurality of shape memory wires to create bent portions (6, 8) in the shape memory wire(s), the bent portions (6, 8) being arranged to define one end of the body, the or each shape memory wire having two ends, the wire(s) of the body being constructed of any material compatible with the tissue in which the stent will be placed, the material being suitably rigid and elastic and capable of being programmed with either superelasticity or thermal shape memory by heating; and weaving the ends of the shape memory wire(s) in a plain weave to create the body such that the shape memory wire(s) cross itself or each other to form a plurality of angles (a), at least one of the angles (a) being obtuse; wherein the value of the at least one obtuse angle (a) may be increased by axially compressing the body the method further comprising providing a weaving system comprising: a template having first template projections (304, 600); bending the shape memory wire(s) around the first template projections (304, 600) to create the bent portions (6, 8) in the shape memory wire(s), the bent portions (6, 8) having an angle of about 140 -160 degrees; weaving the ends of the shape memory wire(s) around the template to create the body; the method further comprising forming closed structures with the ends of the shape memory wire(s), the closed structures being arranged to define the other end of the body; and after the plain weave process is complete, coupling the wire ends together instead of by twisting, using any suitable means capable of withstanding the heating. bending one or a plurality of shape memory wires to create bent portions (6, 8) in the shape memory wire(s), the bent portions (6, 8) being arranged to define one end of the body, the or each shape memory wire having two ends, the wire(s) of the body being constructed of any material compatible with the tissue in which the stent will be placed, the material being suitably rigid and elastic and capable of being programmed with either superelasticity or thermal shape memory by heating; and weaving the ends of the shape memory wire(s) in a plain weave to create the body such that the shape memory wire(s) cross itself or each other to form a plurality of angles (a), at least one of the angles (a) being obtuse; wherein the value of the at least one obtuse angle (a) may be increased by axially compressing the body the method further comprising providing a weaving system comprising: a template having first template projections (304, 600); bending the shape memory wire(s) around the first template projections (304, 600) to create the bent portions (6, 8) in the shape memory wire(s), the bent portions (6, 8) having an angle of about 140 -160 degrees; weaving the ends of the shape memory wire(s) around the template to create the body; the method further comprising forming closed structures with the ends of the shape memory wire(s), the closed structures being arranged to define the other end of the body; and after the plain weave process is complete, coupling the wire ends together instead of by twisting, using any suitable means capable of withstanding the heating. a template having first template projections (304, 600); bending the shape memory wire(s) around the first template projections (304, 600) to create the bent portions (6, 8) in the shape memory wire(s), the bent portions (6, 8) having an angle of about 140 -160 degrees; weaving the ends of the shape memory wire(s) around the template to create the body; the method further comprising forming closed structures with the ends of the shape memory wire(s), the closed structures being arranged to define the other end of the body; and after the plain weave process is complete, coupling the wire ends together instead of by twisting, using any suitable means capable of withstanding the heating.