A stent having a radially compressed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the stent comprising: a first axial stent segment having a longitudinal axis , the first axial stent segment including a plurality of interconnected stent struts arranged to define a plurality of first outer apices extending in a first axial direction , and a first circumferentially notched mating element extending axially and circumferentially away from one of the first outer apices ; and a second axial stent segment disposed about the longitudinal axis and axially adjacent to the first axial stent segment , the second axial stent segment including a plurality of interconnected stent struts arranged to define a plurality of second outer apices extending in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction , and a second circumferentially notched mating element extending axially and circumferentially away from one of the second outer apices , wherein, in the radially compressed configuration, the first circumferentially notched mating element maintains circumferential engagement and axial engagement in both of the first and second axial directions with the second circumferentially notched mating element , wherein, during radial expansion to the radially expanded configuration, the first circumferentially notched mating element disengages from the second circumferentially notched mating element , whereby the first and second axial stent segments are at least one of longitudinally or circumferentially movable relative to one another after disengagement, and wherein each of the first and second circumferentially notched mating elements has an extension length (L) measured between a tip of the respective first and second circumferentially notched mating element and an outer surface of the corresponding first or second outer apex that is equal to or less than a strut width (W) of the stent struts . a first axial stent segment having a longitudinal axis , the first axial stent segment including a plurality of interconnected stent struts arranged to define a plurality of first outer apices extending in a first axial direction , and a first circumferentially notched mating element extending axially and circumferentially away from one of the first outer apices ; and a second axial stent segment disposed about the longitudinal axis and axially adjacent to the first axial stent segment , the second axial stent segment including a plurality of interconnected stent struts arranged to define a plurality of second outer apices extending in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction , and a second circumferentially notched mating element extending axially and circumferentially away from one of the second outer apices , wherein, in the radially compressed configuration, the first circumferentially notched mating element maintains circumferential engagement and axial engagement in both of the first and second axial directions with the second circumferentially notched mating element , wherein, during radial expansion to the radially expanded configuration, the first circumferentially notched mating element disengages from the second circumferentially notched mating element , whereby the first and second axial stent segments are at least one of longitudinally or circumferentially movable relative to one another after disengagement, and wherein each of the first and second circumferentially notched mating elements has an extension length (L) measured between a tip of the respective first and second circumferentially notched mating element and an outer surface of the corresponding first or second outer apex that is equal to or less than a strut width (W) of the stent struts . <EOS>