US Patent 7842081 Stent with spiral side-branch

In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure having an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently from other cells of the stent. The side branch structure further comprises a serpentine ring extending around the inner side branch cell, the serpentine ring having alternating struts and turns. Each strut includes curvature along its length and is oriented with the curvature being concave with respect to a center point of the inner side branch cell.