Endoprosthesis for controlled contraction and expansion

An endoprosthesis, comprising:

• a plurality of annular elements, each annular element connected to an adjacent annular element at least one connection location;
• each annular element including an interconnected series of strut members, at least one strut member connected to a first circumferentially adjacent strut member at a first longitudinal apex and to a second circumferentially adjacent strut member at a second longitudinal apex, the first apex and the second apex being on longitudinally opposite sides of the annular element;
• the at least one strut member including:
• a first end portion at a first end of the strut member, the first end extending to the first apex,
• an intermediate portion hingedly connected to the first end portion, and
• a second end portion hingedly connected to the intermediate portion and extending to the second apex;
• wherein the intermediate portion is disposed at an angle of less than 90° to the first end portion and an angle of less than 90° to the second end portion, and further wherein the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion together define a lightning bolt shape;
• and
• wherein the endoprosthesis has a delivery diameter when in a delivery condition and a deployed diameter when in a deployed condition.

An endoprosthesis, comprising:

• a plurality of annular elements, each annular element connected to an adjacent annular element at least one connection location;
• each annular element including an interconnected series of strut members, at least one strut member connected to a first circumferentially adjacent strut member at a first longitudinal apex and to a second circumferentially adjacent strut member at a second longitudinal apex, wherein the first apex and the second apex are on longitudinally opposite sides of the annular element, and further wherein the at least one strut member and the first circumferentially adjacent strut member are hingedly connected directly together to form an arrowhead shape without a circumferential member therebetween;
• the at least one strut member including:
• a first end portion at a first end of the strut member, the first end extending to the first apex,
• an intermediate portion hingedly connected to the first end portion, and
• a second end portion hingedly connected to the intermediate portion and extending to the second apex;
• wherein the endoprosthesis has a delivery diameter when in a delivery condition and a deployed diameter when in a deployed condition.