Composite stent having multi-axial flexibility and method of manufacture thereof

A stent or scaffold structure, comprising:

• a base polymeric substrate formed via dip-coating, wherein the base polymeric substrate comprises segments reduced in diameter along the base polymeric substrate,
• wherein a spacing between the segments reduced in diameter varies,
• wherein the base polymeric substrate comprises one or more polymer layers, and
• wherein the base polymeric substrate coated with the one or more polymer layers is processed into the stent or scaffold structure.

A stent or scaffold structure, comprising:

• a base polymeric substrate;
• and
• a plurality of ring structures overlaid upon the base polymeric substrate, wherein the plurality of ring structures are separated from one another and positioned axially upon the base polymeric substrate, wherein the plurality of ring structures retain a molecular weight and mechanical strength of a starting substrate,
• wherein the base polymeric substrate overlaid with the plurality of ring structures is coated with one or more additional polymeric layers, and
• wherein the coated base polymeric substrate overlaid with the plurality of ring is processed into the stent or scaffold structure.