| CPC A61F 2/90 (2013.01) [A61F 2/07 (2013.01); A61F 2/82 (2013.01); A61F 2/848 (2013.01); A61F 2/91 (2013.01); A61F 2002/065 (2013.01); A61F 2002/067 (2013.01); A61F 2002/072 (2013.01); A61F 2002/075 (2013.01); A61F 2002/825 (2013.01); A61F 2/88 (2013.01); A61F 2/89 (2013.01); A61F 2/95 (2013.01); A61F 2002/9665 (2013.01); A61F 2210/0014 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0016 (2013.01); A61F 2220/005 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0058 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0075 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0006 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0008 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0013 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0019 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0026 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0078 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0003 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0036 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49863 (2015.01)] | 20 Claims |

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1. A self-expanding cylindrical stent which has a constrained state and a relaxed expanded state, comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
at least one tapered strut comprising:
a proximal crown comprising a proximal end portion comprising a first dimension;
a distal crown comprising a distal end portion comprising a second dimension, the distal end portion positioned opposite the proximal end portion; and
a middle portion positioned approximately halfway between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, the middle portion extending between and connecting the proximal end portion with the distal end portion, the middle portion comprising a third dimension that is smaller than the first dimension and the second dimension, wherein the at least one tapered strut tapers in at least one discrete taper portion from the proximal end portion to the middle portion, and from the distal end portion to the middle portion, wherein at least one discrete taper portion comprises at least one tapered step;
a proximal end;
a distal end; and
a plurality of resilient struts comprising the at least one tapered strut, the plurality of resilient struts configured to exert an outward radial force when in the constrained state resulting from confinement of the stent inside an outer sheath.
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