Method of making a multi-strand implant with enhanced radiopacity

Abstract

An implant that includes a plurality of only single strands with at least a first non-radiopaque material and at least one multi-strand of radiopaque material among the single strands, the multi-strand including at least two side-by-side radiopaque filaments contiguous to each other over a length of the multi-strand.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implant, comprising:
 a plurality of only single strands comprising at least a first non-radiopaque material and at least one multi-strand of radiopaque material among the single strands, the multi-strand comprising at least two side-by-side radiopaque filaments contiguous to each other over a length of the multi-strand.   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of each side-by-side filament comprises a diameter substantially similar to a diameter of the single strands. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , the side-by-side filaments comprise a monofilament of radiopaque material. 
     
     
         4 . An implant, comprising:
 a body wall formed of a plurality of single strands composed of at least a first non-radiopaque material, the single strands composed of at least a first non-radiopaque material establishing a spacing pattern and a wall thickness,   a plurality of multi-strands of radiopaque material interspersed with the single strands, each multi-strand having at least two side-by-side filaments of radiopaque material contiguous to each other, and each multi-strand joining in the spacing pattern without substantial deviation from the pattern.   
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 4 , the side-by-side filaments comprise a monofilament of radiopaque material. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 4 , the spacing pattern comprising an open braid pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 4 , the spacing pattern comprising an open weave pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 4 , each multi-strand being joined in the spacing pattern without substantial deviation from the wall thickness 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 4 , wherein a diameter of each side-by-side filament comprises a diameter substantially similar to a diameter of the single strands.