Abstract: A self-expanding, flexible, intravascular stent for use in a vessel includes at least two annular segments axially connected to each other. Each of the at least two annular segments is formed of a plurality of struts connected to each other in a meandering manner. The stent has a crimped state having a reduced diameter and an expanded state having a nominal diameter. The annular segments have a first expansion characteristic in a first diameter range less than the nominal diameter and a second expansion characteristic, different from the first expansion characteristic, in a second diameter range greater than the nominal diameter.

Abstract: A planning method for defining a placement position of a stent in an abdominal aorta of a subject is described. An abdominal aortic aneurysm portion of the abdominal aorta has an aneurysm sac and an aneurysm neck, a distal end of the aneurysm neck, a lower renal aortic ostium, a first distance between a distal end of the lower renal aortic ostium and the distal end of the aneurysm neck, and a second distance between a proximal end of the lower renal aortic ostium and the distal end of the aneurysm neck are identified in image data. The first distance is compared with a minimum stent length. A stent placement position is defined based on a selected stent length such that a distal end of the stent is aligned with the distal end of the aneurysm neck.