A flexible stent structure includes a plurality of axially spaced strut portionsdefining generally tubular axial segments of the stent and constructed to beradially expandable. A helical portion is interposed axially between two strutportions and has a plurality of helical elements connected between circumferentiallyspaced locations on the two strut portions. The helical elements extend helicallybetween those locations and the length of a helical element is sufficient so that,when the stent is in a radially expanded state, it can simultaneously withstandrepeated axial compression or expansion and bending.
