Braiding

Braiding: A braid is a complex structure or pattern formed by intertwining three or more strands of flexible material such as textile fibers or wire.  A braid is usually long and narrow, with each component strand functionally equivalent in zigzagging forward through the overlapping mass of the others.

The simplest possible braid is a flat, solid, three-strand structure. More complex braids can be constructed from an arbitrary (but usually odd) number of strands to create a wider range of structures: wider ribbon-like bands, hollow or solid cylindrical cords, or broad mats which resemble a rudimentary perpendicular weave.

Key characteristics of braided textiles include:

• Dimensional flexibility
• High strength
• High elongation
• Controlled porosity
• Dense braids with low porosity

The value of braided textiles in an implantable medical device include:

• High degree of tissue in-growth
• Controlled permeability
• High degree of elongation
• Compressibility

Fabrics can be braided into a variety of shapes based on your biomedical structure’s requirements, including:

• Conduits
• Sleeves
• Tapes
• Flat braids
• Slit tapes
• Braid over core
• Containment devices

ATEX possesses the expertise to produce a wide variety of component shapes from a braided textile.