Abstract: A self-expanding stent assembly and methods for the manufacture thereof and for introduction of such a stent assembly into a body passage or duct of a patient. A self-expanding endovascular stent assembly comprises at least one stent segment (7, 8) formed by a single piece of wire arranged in a closed zig-zag configuration with struts (10) joining each other joints (11) and a covering sleeve (9). The stent segment (7, 8) is compressible from an expanded condition with a first radius (R) into an introduction condition with second radius (r). The struts (10) are retained solely by the sleeve (9), which is relatively inelastic and has a thickness of not more than 1 percent of the first radius (R).