#$%^&*AU2012200743A120120301.pdf#####ABSTRACT The present invention provides a stent including: a plurality of hoop sections having a tubular configuration with proximal and distal open ends defining a longitudinal axis extending there between, wherein each hoop section is formed from a plurality of radial strut members and a plurality of radial arc members connecting adjacent radial struts to form a sinusoidal wave pattern progressing circumferentially along the hoop section, each of the plurality of radial arc members circumferentially along the hoop section, each of the plurality of radial arc members having a circumferential amplitude measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis about the circumference of the hoop section, wherein at least one pair of circumferentially adjacent radial strut members have unequal lengths when measured relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one radial arc member has non-uniform cross sections to achieve near-uniform stress, strain or stress and strain distribution along the radial arc when the radial arc undergoes deformation and one or more flex connectors connecting longitudinally adjacent hoop sections, each at one radial arc per hoop section, each flex connector is formed from a substantially circumferentially oriented flexible strut member and two flexible arc members, one flexible arc member being connected to each end of the flexible strut member, each flex connector having a circumferential amplitude measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis about the circumference of the stent, wherein the circumferential amplitude of the flexible connector is different from the circumferential amplitude of the connected radial arc.1/9 C,D 0 s7 co0 i CD Ec IWO
