The present invention is directed to stent that has a plurality of axially spaced serpentine bands. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of struts, wherein adjacent struts are connected to each other forming a plurality of peaks and valleys. The plurality of struts comprise a plurality of adjacent pairs of struts, wherein each adjacent pair of struts comprises a first strut and a second strut and wherein the first and second struts have a first end, a second end and a length and a plurality of interconnecting struts axially connect the serpentine bands. The stent further includes a plurality of connector nodes, wherein a plurality of first and second struts that are associated with a connector node have a greater stiffness than a plurality of struts that are not associated with a connector node.
