Patent ID: 7875069

Claim:
An implantable stent comprising: a stent sidewall having a plurality of struts including a first strut having an abluminal surface, a subluminal surface, and at least one side surface, the abluminal surface having a width and a length, the width being less than the length; a first depression formed in the abluminal surface of the first strut, the first depression having a width less than the width of the abluminal surface; and a first support element at least partially disposed in the first depression; wherein the first support element at least partially comprises a metal filament and wherein the first support element comprises a shape-memory metal; and the stent further comprising a second depression formed in the subluminal surface of the first strut; and a second support element at least partially disposed in the second depression, and wherein the second support element at least partially comprises a metal filament.