Patent ID: 7763064

Claim:
A stent, comprising: a plurality of interconnected circumferential bands defining a cylindrical structure having a longitudinal axis; each of the circumferential bands having a generally serpentine pattern and comprising a plurality of struts and a plurality of loops, wherein each end of a strut is coupled to an end of a loop; at least one of the circumferential bands having at least two consecutive struts comprising a plurality of arcuate sections, wherein each arcuate section in each strut has reverse curvature of opposing arcuate sections extending from each end to the mid-section of the strut wherein the plurality of arcuate sections in the strut substantially straighten during compression of the stent; wherein each strut with arcuate sections has a cross-sectional area that is larger at the strut ends than in the midsection of the strut; said adjacent struts having varying lengths to produce axially offset positions of adjacent loops.