Braiding mechanism and methods of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12344975-B2
Application number	US-202318390594-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2023
Priority date	Oct 17, 2011
Publication date	Jul 1, 2025
Grant date	Jul 1, 2025

Abstract

Methods of braiding using a braiding mechanism are described. The braiding mechanism includes a disc defining a plane and a circumferential edge, a mandrel extending from a center of the disc that is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc, a plurality of catch mechanisms positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc, a plurality of actuators adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc, and a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel towards circumferential edge of the disc. A middle portion of each filament of the plurality of filaments contacts an end of the mandrel.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A method for braiding, comprising the steps of:
loading a plurality of filaments on a mandrel and extending the filaments radially from the mandrel, the plurality of filaments having a first subset and a second subset, wherein at least one filament of the plurality of filaments has a first diameter and at least one other filament of the plurality of filaments has a second diameter that is different than the first diameter, wherein a ratio of a number of the at least one filament to the at least one other filament is between about 2:1 to about 15:1;
applying tension to each of the plurality of filaments;
engaging the first subset of the plurality of filaments;
moving the first subset of filaments circumferentially relative to the second subset;
releasing the first subset of filaments from engagement;
engaging the second subset of filaments; and
moving the second subset of filaments circumferentially relative to the first subset of filaments, such that a tubular braid of filaments is formed.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first subset of the plurality of filaments is every other filament.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first subset of the plurality of filaments is every third filament.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first subset of the plurality of filaments is every fourth filament.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first subset of the plurality of filaments is every two filaments.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a weight attached to each filament is between about 2-20 grams.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tension applied to the plurality of filaments is inversely proportionate to a diameter of the filaments.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the amount of tension applied to the plurality of filaments is varied for each filament.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubular braid has a one-over, one-under (diamond) braid pattern.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubular braid has a one-over, three-under braid pattern.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubular braid has two-over, two-under braid pattern.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubular braid has a two-over, one-under braid pattern.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein plurality of filaments is a plurality of wires.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the wires have a transverse dimension or diameter of between about ½ mil to 5 mils.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one filament has a transverse dimension or diameter of about 0.001 to 0.005 inches (1-5 mils).

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one other filament has a transverse dimension or diameter of about 0.0005 to 0.0015 inches (½-1.5 mils).

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein tension is applied using a weight attached to each filament of the plurality of filaments.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter, and wherein a first weight attached to the at least one filament is larger than a second weight attached to the at least one other filament.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filaments are loaded by looping a middle portion of each filament of the plurality of filaments over the end of the mandrel.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the difference between the first diameter and the second diameter is less than 0.002 inches.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filaments comprises nitinol.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filaments comprises platinum.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein a difference between the first diameter and the second diameter is less than 0.005 inches.

Assignees

• Microvention Inc

Inventors

• Thompson James M
• Cox Brian J
• Rosenbluth Robert
• Marchand Philippe
• Nolting John
• Kent Darrin J
• Dinh Tan Q
• Tran Hung P
• Milburn James A

Classifications

• D04C3/48

  Auxiliary devices · CPC title

• D04C1/12

  Cords, lines, or tows · CPC title

• D04C3/40 Primary

  for making tubular braids by circulating strand supplies around braiding centre at equal distances · CPC title

• D10B2509/06

  Vascular grafts; stents · CPC title

• D04C3/42 Primary

  with means for forming sheds by controlling guides for individual threads · CPC title