A stent comprising: a plurality of radially expandable rings each having a contracted configuration suitable for delivery and a radially expanded configuration for engaging and supporting tissue, wherein each ring is formed from a plurality of interconnected struts , adjacent struts in each ring being connected together with a connector , and each ring having a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the plurality of rings are coaxially aligned with one another to form a longitudinal axis, wherein a distal end of one ring faces a proximal end of an adjacent ring ; and a plurality of bridges disposed between adjacent rings , the plurality of bridges coupling adjacent rings together, wherein one or more of the bridges comprise a first end, a second end, and a first brace element therebetween, wherein the first end of the bridge is coupled with the distal end of a first ring at a first connection point, and the second end of the bridge is coupled with the proximal end of an adjacent second ring at a second connection point, and wherein the first brace element of one bridge engages an adjacent bridge or a brace element of the adjacent bridge when the corresponding adjacent rings are in the contracted configuration thereby providing additional support and rigidity to the stent to lessen buckling of the stent during loading onto a delivery catheter or during deployment therefrom, wherein the one or more bridges comprise a first arm and a second arm , and the brace element is disposed therebetween, wherein the first arm or the second arm comprises a linear strut, wherein the first arm or the second arm comprises a width, and the first brace element comprises a width wider than the width of the first or second arm , Characterized in that at least some of the bridges comprise a brace element having a tapered proximal or distal end. a plurality of radially expandable rings each having a contracted configuration suitable for delivery and a radially expanded configuration for engaging and supporting tissue, wherein each ring is formed from a plurality of interconnected struts , adjacent struts in each ring being connected together with a connector , and each ring having a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the plurality of rings are coaxially aligned with one another to form a longitudinal axis, wherein a distal end of one ring faces a proximal end of an adjacent ring ; and a plurality of bridges disposed between adjacent rings , the plurality of bridges coupling adjacent rings together, wherein one or more of the bridges comprise a first end, a second end, and a first brace element therebetween, wherein the first end of the bridge is coupled with the distal end of a first ring at a first connection point, and the second end of the bridge is coupled with the proximal end of an adjacent second ring at a second connection point, and wherein the first brace element of one bridge engages an adjacent bridge or a brace element of the adjacent bridge when the corresponding adjacent rings are in the contracted configuration thereby providing additional support and rigidity to the stent to lessen buckling of the stent during loading onto a delivery catheter or during deployment therefrom, wherein the one or more bridges comprise a first arm and a second arm , and the brace element is disposed therebetween, wherein the first arm or the second arm comprises a linear strut, wherein the first arm or the second arm comprises a width, and the first brace element comprises a width wider than the width of the first or second arm , Characterized in that at least some of the bridges comprise a brace element having a tapered proximal or distal end. <EOS>