Methods for Forming an Orthogonal End on a Helical Stent

A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. Some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer and/or shorter than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The method includes wrapping the wave form about a longitudinal axis to define a plurality of turns so that an end turn is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, a second turn is at a first pitch angle that is less than the angle that the end turn is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, a third turn is at a second pitch angle that is less than the first pitch angle, and a fourth turn is at a third pitch angle that is less than the second pitch angle.