  A new model description for the numerical simulation of elastic stents is
proposed. Based on the new formulation an inf-sup inequality for the finite
element discretization is proved and the proof of the inf-sup inequality for
the continuous problem is simplified. The new formulation also leads to faster
simulation times despite an increased number of variables. The techniques also
simplify the analysis and numerical solution of the evolution problem
describing the movement of the stent under external forces. The results are
illustrated via numerical examples.
