Patent ID: 7122059

Claim:
A method for fabricating a stent, comprising: providing a flat sheet of shape memory material including a length, width, and a thickness to; forming a plurality of openings in the sheet to define a multi-cellular structure; forming a plurality of slots in the sheet aligned substantially perpendicular to the length of the sheet, the slots having a reduced thickness t 1 that is less than the thickness t 0 , the slots enhancing a bending characteristic of regions of the tubular body comprising the slots, the shape memory material preventing substantially permanent deformation of the regions comprising the slots; rolling the sheet about its length into a tubular body having a diameter configured for introduction into body lumen; wherein the step of forming a plurality of openings in the sheet comprises forming a plurality of cells and longitudinal connectors in the sheet, longitudinally adjacent cells being connected to one another by longitudinal connectors aligned in sets substantially perpendicular to the length of the sheet, the longitudinal connectors assuming a substantially straight configuration when the tubular body is in its expanded condition.