Alternating circumferential bridge stent design and methods for use thereof

Abstract

A stent includes a first section and a second section. The first section and the second section each include a plurality of expandable modules and a plurality of bridging modules. Each expandable module includes a plurality of strut elements that join together at a plurality of apices, and each bridging module includes bridging elements that connect an apex of a first module with an apex of a second module. In some aspects, the first section is more flexible along the longitudinal axis of the stent than the second section and is configured to be placed in a specific region of a vessel that requires flexibility to accommodate surrounding anatomy. In some aspects, the first section is more radially stiff than the second section and is configured to be placed in a specific region of the vessel that requires radial stiffness to counteract crushing force caused by surrounding anatomy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stent comprising:
 a first section and a second section aligned with the first section along a longitudinal axis of the stent, the first section and the second section each including:   a plurality of expandable modules, each expandable module including a plurality of strut elements that join together at a plurality of apices; and   a plurality of bridging modules, each bridging module including bridging elements that connect an apex of a first module with an apex of a second module;
 wherein the first section is more flexible along the longitudinal axis than the second section and is configured to be placed in a specific region of a vessel that requires flexibility to accommodate surrounding anatomy.