Expandable stents and method for making same

摘要

The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by one or more interconnecting members placed so as to limit longitudinal contraction during radial expansion. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are formed in general serpentine pattern designed to expand evenly under radial stress, and maximize the overall radial expansion ratio.