Patent ID: 6500203
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: A61F,B29C,B29D,B29K,B29L,D04C,D10B

Abstract:
A process for making a medical device, including:braiding a plurality of structural strands into a tubular open latticework in which the strands form multiple first intersections and define a first braid angle when in a nominal state, wherein the structural strands along the length of the tubular open latticework are free of bonding to one another at the first intersections, said tubular open latticework being adjustable between the nominal state and a radially-reduced axially-elongated state according to a first relationship of radial reduction versus axial elongation; braiding a plurality of compliant textile strands into a tubular sleeve in which the textile strands form multiple second intersections and define a second braid angle substantially the same as said first braid angle when in a nominal state, wherein the textile strands along the length of the tubular sleeve are free of bonding to one another at the second intersections, said tubular sleeve being adjustable between the nominal state and a radially-reduced axially-elongated state according to a second relationship of radial reduction versus axial elongation substantially equivalent to said first relationship; and attaching a selected one of the latticework and sleeve within and in an axial alignment with the other of said latticework and sleeve so that said other surrounds the selected one.