A radially expandable stent comprising a plurality of spaced band-like elements and intersecting links is disclosed. The band-like elements have a generally serpentine configuration to provide continuous waves of generally sinusoidal character to each band-like element. The waves are characterized by a plurality of peaks and troughs taking a generally longitudinal direction along the cylinder such that the waves in the band-like elements open as the stent is expanded from a first diameter to a second diameter. The intersecting links are substantially U-shaped and terminate in first and second shanks. The first shank of a link emanates from a region between a peak and trough on a band-like element and the second shank of the link emanates from a region between a peak and trough on an adjacent band-like element.
1. A tubular stent comprising a plurality of serpentine bands which form closed paths about a circumference of the stent, the serpentine bands having alternating peaks and troughs, the peaks of one serpentine band being out of phase an intermediate angle between 0 and 180 degrees with the peaks of an adjacent band, serpentine bands which are adjacent one another connected by at least one connector,
the at least one connector having at least one bend therein and having a first end and a second end, the first end extending from a serpentine band at a position closer to midway between the peak and the trough than to the peak, the second end extending from an adjacent serpentine band at a position closer to midway between the peak and the trough than to the peak,
the at least one connector comprising a central region between the first and second ends, at least a portion of each central region comprising a first U-shaped link and a second U-shaped link, each first U-shaped link opening in a first substantially circumferential direction and each second U-shaped link opening in a second substantially circumferential direction substantially opposite the first substantially circumferential direction, at least a portion of the first U-shaped link and at least a portion of the second U-shaped link having a shared portion, the shared portion disposed between one of the peaks on one segment and one of the troughs on an adjacent segment.
2. The stent of claim 1 comprising a plurality of connectors.
3. The stent of claim 2 wherein a series of connectors forms a spiral shape around the circumference of the stent.