Abstract: A braider having a braider bed. The bed has first and second closed tracks defining an intersecting serpentine path. The tracks define an average path which is non-circular. A plurality of yarn package carriers travel along said tracks. Yarns fed from the packages form a braid at a location substantially central of the bed.

Abstract: A thermal insulator is disclosed which comprises fibrillated staple fibers exemplified by fibrillated fibers of poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide). The fibers are fibrillated on a carding machine equipped with metallic clothing.

Abstract: The present invention envisions a concentric structural combination of elements, consisting of an elongate core component, which is terminated at each end on the internal surface of a chambered coupling, and a elongate sheath component which consists of an interlaced configuration of assemblies of non-metallic filamentary elements embedded in a polymer matrix, the sheath component being bonded at each end to the external surface of the coupling, the load-elongation characteristics of the core and sheath components being chosen so as to ensure that both components share substantially in the load-bearing under the working load conditions, with at least 50% of the load being borne by the aggregate of the non-metallic elements, and the sheath and matrix being disposed so as to substantially cover and protect the core and coupling components.

Abstract: A rod assembly comprising a core component and a sheath component and having an elongate cross-section, the sheath component consisting of an anisotropic assembly of non-metallic filamentary elements embedded in a polymeric matrix whereby the bending stiffness for deformations about an axis parallel to the major axis of the rod assembly is less than the bending stiffness of the same core and sheath components in a radially symmetrical configuration, and in which the core and sheath components have load-elongation characteristics so that the ratio of the strain to the strain-to-break in the sheath is essentially equal to the ratio of the strain to the strain-to-break in the core throughout the working load range.

Abstract: Sheet materials for cardiovascular and other prosthetic implants are fabricated of synthetic elastomers. These materials are characterized by molecular configurations that produce a nonlinear tensile modulus characteristic similar in shape to that of natural tissue. Selected elastomers, when formed as sheet material of appropriate geometrical configuration, promote the formation of natural tissue thereon which is appropriate for the mechanical characteristics desired.

Abstract: A frame system for heart valve prosthesis. A first frame has at least three generally parallel legs each comprising a pair of rod portions connected at one end and diverging at the other end as lobes respectively connecting with rod portions of others of said legs. The lobes form an aperture therebetween and the legs are adapted to receive the margin of a valve leaflet between the rod portions thereof. Thus, the leaflet may be secured to two adjacent legs and the interconnecting lobe so as to have a free edge extending between said adjacent legs. A second frame is adapted to nest with the first frame and comprises a rod formed to be substantially congruent with the interconnecting lobes, whereby the leaflets may be secured to and between the frames.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method of adhering a textile tennis ball cover to a tennis ball core. The method comprises providing a core and a textile tennis ball cover for the core. A hot-melt adhesive is also provided, disposed in association with the cover material. The cover and adhesive are assembled on the core and the hot-melt adhesive caused to melt and form a bond between core and covering material. Upon solidifying, the adhesive adheres the cover to the core of the tennis ball with a high degree of tenacity. The method of the invention is advantageous over the prior art commercial methods, in terms of efficiency and economics.

Abstract: A prosthesis for an inadequate or diseased heart valve, the prosthesis being formed of a porous fabric comprising multifilament synthetic yarns supported on a plural-lobed frame. The frame has generally parallel legs each comprising a pair of rod portions. The fabric is inserted between the rod portions of the legs to form flexible leaflets. Each leaflet consists essentially of a textile of filaments having a substantial number of open interstitial spaces in the range of 20 to 40 microns evenly distributed throughout the fabric. The resulting composite structures are free of thrombogenic complications.

Abstract: Prostheses for inadequate or diseased heart valves and blood vessels, formed of fabrics comprising multifilament synthetic yarns. For a heart valve the fabric is supported on a three-lobed frame. During manufacture, the fabric is subjected to a plural step compressive shrinking and crimping process to impart nonisotropic elastic compliance approximating the natural mechanical properties. The resulting composite structures are free of thrombogenic complications.