| abstract |
Stents 10 are provided having a circumferential element 15 with first and second ends 11, 12, a longitudinal axis 14, and arcuate struts 20 disposed intermediate the ends. End portions 22, 23 of adjacent arcuate struts are joined by strut connections 30, 31, 31', 33, 35, 36, 38 formed at the first and second ends. The struts are spaced 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74 arcuately relative to a plane 14' that includes the longitudinal axis, such that they arc convexly 25 or concavely 24 relative to the plane. Another stent 110 has a tubular main body with a longitudinal axis 14, first and second ends 111, 112 defining a lumen 13 in communication with openings 17, 18 at the first and second ends, and circumferential elements 15 disposed along the tubular main body longitudinal axis, whereby one or more link members 16 join two or more of the circumferential elements. Methods 100 of using a stent having a circumferential element having arcuate struts connected by strut connections are also provided. |