Patent ID: 7867273

Claim:
A stent, comprising: a plurality of elongate strut members spaced apart, each elongate strut member extending lengthwise to define a longitudinal axis, each elongate strut member having a plurality of alternating peaks and valley; and at least one flexible connecting link connecting each elongate strut member to an adjacent elongate strut member, the elongate strut members and connecting links forming a generally tubular stent body having a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter, some of the connecting links being disposed adjacent to each other circumferentially along the tubular stent body to form at least one continuous helix pattern which extends along the longitudinal length of the tubular member, wherein at least one connecting link attaches each elongate strut member to an adjacent elongate strut member so that at least a portion of the connecting link is positioned within the peak as it attaches that peak to a peak of an adjacent elongate strut member.