Longitudinally expanding medical device

A method of placing a stent in a prostatic urethra of a patient, the method comprising the steps:

• (a) providing a stent comprising:
• (i) an elongated segment comprising a plurality of individual hoops defining a lumen therethrough, each of the plurality of individual hoops comprising a single wire, the elongated segment extending along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• (ii) a flexible polymer material disposed between the plurality of individual hoops, the flexible polymer material including a hinged member disposed between adjacent hoops and a ridge disposed between adjacent hinged members, each of the plurality of individual hoops disposed in a respective one of the ridges, allowing the elongated segment to expand and contract along the longitudinal axis to accommodate swelling of a prostate when the stent is within the prostatic urethra of the patient;
• and
• (b) inserting the stent into the prostatic urethra of the patient.

A medical device for use in a body of a patient, comprising:

• an elongated segment comprising a plurality of individual hoops defining a lumen therethrough, each of the plurality of individual hoops comprising a single wire, the elongated segment extending along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a flexible polymer material bridging the plurality of individual hoops, the flexible polymer material including a hinged member disposed between each of the adjacent hoops and a ridge disposed between each of the adjacent hinge members,
• wherein each of the plurality of individual hoops is disposed in a respective one of the ridges, allowing the elongated segment to expand and contract along the longitudinal axis to accommodate anatomical changes of the patient and prevent occlusion of the lumen when the device is within the body of the patient.