Numerical investigations of the structural behavior of a balloon expandable stent design using finite element method

► Bridge's design has a significant impact on the flexibility of cardiovascular balloon-expandable stents. ► Residual stresses over the stent that are generated after expansion depend on the bridge's design. ► Unsymmetrical design of bridges may improve considerably the structural behavior of the stent during deployment. ► Elastic longitudinal recoil of the stent may be reduced significantly by optimizing the bridge's design.