Method and apparatus for braiding multiple ends into a braided structure

Abstract

The present disclosure provides improved braiding methods that utilize a braiding eyelet that may be housed on a carrier in a braiding machine. The eyelet includes a first side, a second side, and a flared opening extending between the two sides. The flared opening includes a slot holder that has first and second slots sized and configured to allow a single end to pass there-through such that when a group of two ends is used for the braiding, each individual end can pass through its own hole or slot to ensure that the end is locked in place and there is no space or clearance allowing them to cross over one another. Many embodiments of the present disclosure are suitable for constructing a medical device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An eyelet for use in a braiding apparatus, the eyelet comprising:
 a first side, a second side, and a flared opening extending from the first side to the second side, the flared opening having a first diameter at the first side and having a second diameter at the second side, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter; and   at least a first slot and a second slot positioned at the second side of the eyelet and within the flared opening, the first slot and the second slot configured to allow passage of a first end and a second end, respectively.   
     
     
         2 . The eyelet of  claim 1 , wherein the flared opening has a radius of curvature of about 0.15 at the first end. 
     
     
         3 . The eyelet of  claim 1 , wherein the flared opening has radius of curvature of about 0.005 at the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The eyelet of  claim 1  comprising at least a first slot, a second slot, and a third slot configured to allow passage of a first end, a second end, and a third end, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The eyelet of  claim 4 , wherein the first, second, and third slots are positioned linearly with respect to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The eyelet of  claim 1 , wherein the eyelet is constructed of a material having a hardness value greater than a hardness value of the first and second ends. 
     
     
         7 . The eyelet of  claim 1 , wherein the first slot and the second slot are configured to guide the first end and the second end during a braiding process so as to minimize changes in the position of the first end relative to the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The eyelet of  claim 1 , wherein the eyelet is configured to be positioned within a carrier of a braiding apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The eyelet of  claim 8 , wherein the eyelet includes at least one notch configured to couple the eyelet to the carrier of the braiding apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for braiding multiple ends to form a braided structure, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one carrier; and   a braiding eyelet positioned within the at least one carrier, the braiding eyelet comprising at least two slots, each slot configured for insertion of a single end.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the braiding eyelet comprises:
 at least a first slot, a second slot, and a third slot configured to allow passage of a first end, a second end, and a third end, respectively.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first, second, and third slots are positioned linearly with respect to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the braiding eyelet is constructed of a material having a hardness value greater than a hardness value of the first, second and third ends. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two slots are each configured to guide a respective single end during a braiding process so as to minimize changes in the position of the ends relative to one another. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the braiding eyelet includes at least one notch configured to couple the braiding eyelet to the carrier. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the eyelet comprises a first side, a second side, and a flared opening extending from the first side to the second side, wherein the at least two slots are positioned within the flared opening at the second side of the eyelet. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the flared opening has a radius of curvature of about 0.15 at the first side and a radius of curvature of about 0.005 at the second side. 
     
     
         18 . A method of braiding multiple ends to form a braided structure, the method comprising:
 advancing a first group of ends comprising at least a first end and a second end through a first slot and a second slot of an eyelet, respectively; and   braiding the first group of ends with at least a second and a third group of ends to form the braided structure.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein advancing the first group of ends through the eyelet comprises advancing the first end through the first slot and advancing the second end through the second slot so as to minimize positional changes of the first end relative to the second end. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 braiding the first and second group of ends with at least a fourth group of ends to form the braided structure.