| abstract |
A surgical stent ( 10 ) is provided which can be radially expanded away from a central axis ( 2 ) within a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent ( 10 ) is formed from a series of struts ( 20 ) circumscribing a cylindrical contour of the stent ( 10 ). Each strut ( 20 ) has a series of bends ( 30 ) formed therein with each bend including at least one trough ( 32 ) and at least one crest ( 36 ). Gaps ( 40 ) are provided between adjacent struts ( 20 ). Each gap ( 40 ) is spanned by an axial element such as a tie bar ( 50 ). Each tie bar ( 50 ) attaches to adjacent struts ( 20 ) through troughs ( 32 ) so that when the stent ( 10 ) is radially expanded, the struts ( 20 ) are not drawn together, but rather maintain their position and the stent ( 10 ) hence maintains its axial length without contracting. Other elements can alternatively be provided between adjacent circumferential elements to provide varying degrees of flexibility between adjacent struts ( 20 ). |