| abstract |
A stent comprising: at least one individual closed hoop member formed from a resilient material, the hoop, in a two dimensional configuration, having a diametral dimension that exceeds the diameter of the largest blood vessel into which it will be inserted; and the hoop being resiliency deformable or resiliency deformed so as to occupy a spatial envelope of reduced diameter when inserted in a lumen, wherein when occupying the spatial envelope of reduced diameter, the closed hoop member has at least two substantially diametrically-opposed generally circumferentially extending regions; and at least two regions that extend at least in part generally axially relative to the generally circumferentially extending regions, each of said regions that extend at least in part generally axially being disposed between two of said generally circumferentially extending regions. |