Abstract: A stent or other endoprosthesis is provided from a single strand of biocompatible and resilient material into which spring coils are formed by winding the strand through in excess of 360.degree.. The thus-formed coil springs are positioned along outside edges of the endoprosthesis, with legs joining the coil springs in order to form a generally zig-zag structure. When the endoprosthesis is compressed for endoluminal delivery, the coil springs allow for large angular deflection between adjoining legs while avoiding plastic deformation of the coil or of the legs.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a guidewire for navigating through body vessels so as to deliver a balloon catheter or the like. The guidewire has an elongated core wire having distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The guidewire also has a coiled spring surrounding the distal end of the core wire. Lastly, the guidewire includes a tube surrounding the core wire proximal to the coiled spring. The tube is able to slide back and forth with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core wire. The tube has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the tube is coupled the proximal end of the coil so that as the tube slides along the longitudinal axis of the core wire, the length of the coiled spring changes, thereby changing the flexibility of the coil.

Abstract: The lumen diameter reference guidewire comprises: a central core wire; a coiled spring wire surrounding a distal portion of the core wire; a tip member; the coiled spring wire being fixed at its distal end to the tip member; and, the guidewire having in an distal area thereof proximal of the coiled spring wire, a plurality of markers which are highly radiopaque, each marker having the same precise length and the distance between adjacent markers varying from marker to marker.