Expandable stent and method for delivery of same

An expandable stent comprising:

• a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another,
• a non-wire tubular wall disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the tubular wall having a longitudinal axis and a porous surface defined by a plurality of intersecting members comprising (i) a series of longitudinal struts disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent, and (ii) a series of undulating S-shaped circumferential struts integrally connected to the longitudinal struts;
• each of the longitudinal struts comprising flexure means for substantially complementary extension and compression of a diametrically opposed pair of the longitudinal struts upon flexure of the stent, the stent being expandable from a first, contracted position to a second, expanded position upon the application of a radially outward force on the stent, wherein the plurality of intersecting members are arranged to define a first repeating pattern comprised of a polygon having a pair of side walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the flexure means is disposed in each of the side walls, at least one flexure means comprising an S-shaped portion having a start point and an end point in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding longitudinal strut, said S-shaped portion being coupled to adjacent circumferential struts at first and second connections, the distance between the first and second connections being greater than the distance between the S-shaped portion start point and the S-shaped portion end point, a first connecting strut being disposed between the first connection and the S-shaped portion start point, and a second connecting strut being disposed between the second connection and the S-shaped portion end point,
• wherein both the S-shaped portion of each longitudinal strut and the S-shape of each circumferential strut are configured to remain S-shaped in both the contracted position of the stent and in the expanded position of the stent against a vessel wall.