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.