An intravascular stent is configured for asymmetrical differential deployment
and to align with a fibrous cap to treat vulnerable plaque. The stent is configured
so that reduced expansion forces are imparted during deployment to the fibrous
cap, thereby reducing the likelihood of cap rupture. The stent includes cylindrical
rings connected by links and a cover attached to a portion of the stent to differentially
restrict stent expansion when the stent is expanded from a delivery diameter to
an implanted diameter thereby creating asymmetrical circumferential deployment.
The portion of the stent having the cover imparts lower expansion forces from the
stent expansion onto the fibrous cap area than other portions of the stent not
having the cover.
