An expandable, implantablemedical device, such as an intraluminal stent (10)fabricated from polymeric materials, includes aplurality of elongated struts (16) in consecutiveseries and alternating stress concentrationjunctions (18) interconnecting ends of adjacentstruts (16). When the stent (10) is in anexpanded condition, the adjacent struts (16) formexpanded substantial V- shapes and stressesare concentrated within the junctions (18). Thejunctions (18) define pivot points (P) for therespective attached, adjacent struts (16). Each ofthe pivot points (P) is located substantially on aline bisecting the V-shapes formed by the struts(16), when the stent (10) is ex anded.
