Endoprostheses with interlocking stents having varying stiffness

An endoprosthesis having a length, a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, the endoprosthesis being expandable from a compact, delivery configuration to an enlarged, deployed configuration, the endoprosthesis comprising:

• a plurality of rows of stent elements along the length of the endoprosthesis, the plurality of rows including a first row and a second row located adjacent to the first row, the first row of stent elements having a first plurality of alternating apices and the second row of stent elements having a second plurality of alternating apices, the first and second pluralities of alternating apices defining a spaced apart, interlocking arrangement;
• and
• a discontinuous web of material comprising:
• a first plurality of web elements spaced from one another and interconnecting the first and second pluralities of alternating apices, the first plurality of web elements being arranged along a first, common circumference, and
• a second plurality of web elements spaced from one another and interconnecting the first and second pluralities of alternating apices, the second plurality of web elements being arranged along a second, common circumference longitudinally spaced from the first, common circumference;
• wherein, when the endoprosthesis is in the enlarged, deployed configuration, the first plurality of web elements and the second plurality of web elements restrict torsion and elongation of the endoprosthesis between the first and second rows of stent elements.