Abstract: A braided structure that includes a core and a sheath is provided. The core includes a yarn formed at least in part from an aromatic polymer (e.g., an aromatic polyester/liquid crystalline polymer or an aramid polymer), and the sheath, which includes a plurality of ultra high molecular weight polyolefin yarns, is braided around the core. The sheath has an overall diameter ranging from about 60 micrometers to about 650 micrometers. Despite its small diameter, the braided structure can be creep resistant and abrasion resistant while at the same time exhibiting low elongation, a high load at break, and high stiffness. The braided structure can be used in medical applications such as sutures, load bearing orthopedic applications, artificial tendons/ligaments, fixation devices, actuation cables, components for tissue repair, etc.

Abstract: A braided structure that includes a core and a sheath is provided. The core includes a yarn formed at least in part from an aromatic polymer (e.g., an aromatic polyester/liquid crystalline polymer or an aramid polymer), and the sheath, which includes a plurality of ultra high molecular weight polyolefin yarns, is braided around the core. The sheath has an overall diameter ranging from about 60 micrometers to about 650 micrometers. Despite its small diameter, the braided structure can be creep resistant and abrasion resistant while at the same time exhibiting low elongation, a high load at break, and high stiffness. The braided structure can be used in medical applications such as sutures, load bearing orthopedic applications, artificial tendons/ligaments, fixation devices, actuation cables, components for tissue repair, etc.

Abstract: A braided structure that includes a core and a sheath is provided. The core includes a yarn formed at least in part from an aromatic polymer (e.g., an aromatic polyester/liquid crystalline polymer or an aramid polymer), and the sheath, which includes a plurality of ultra high molecular weight polyolefin yarns, is braided around the core. The sheath has an overall diameter ranging from about 60 micrometers to about 650 micrometers. Despite its small diameter, the braided structure can be creep resistant and abrasion resistant while at the same time exhibiting low elongation, a high load at break, and high stiffness. The braided structure can be used in medical applications such as sutures, load bearing orthopedic applications, artificial tendons/ligaments, fixation devices, actuation cables, components for tissue repair, etc.

Abstract: A braided structure that includes a core and a sheath is provided. The core includes a yarn formed at least in part from an aromatic polymer (e.g., an aromatic polyester/liquid crystalline polymer or an aramid polymer), and the sheath, which includes a plurality of ultra high molecular weight polyolefin yarns, is braided around the core. The sheath has an overall diameter ranging from about 60 micrometers to about 650 micrometers. Despite its small diameter, the braided structure can be creep resistant and abrasion resistant while at the same time exhibiting low elongation, a high load at break, and high stiffness. The braided structure can be used in medical applications such as sutures, load bearing orthopedic applications, artificial tendons/ligaments, fixation devices, actuation cables, components for tissue repair, etc.

Abstract: A braided structure that includes a core and a sheath is provided. The core includes a yarn formed at least in part from an aromatic polymer (e.g., an aromatic polyester/liquid crystalline polymer or an aramid polymer), and the sheath, which includes a plurality of ultra high molecular weight polyolefin yarns, is braided around the core. The sheath has an overall diameter ranging from about 60 micrometers to about 650 micrometers. Despite its small diameter, the braided structure can be creep resistant and abrasion resistant while at the same time exhibiting low elongation, a high load at break, and high stiffness. The braided structure can be used in medical applications such as sutures, load bearing orthopedic applications, artificial tendons/ligaments, fixation devices, actuation cables, components for tissue repair, etc.

Abstract: A braided structure that includes a core and a sheath is provided. The core includes a yarn formed at least in part from an aromatic polymer (e.g., an aromatic polyester/liquid crystalline polymer or an aramid polymer), and the sheath, which includes a plurality of ultra high molecular weight polyolefin yarns, is braided around the core. The sheath has an overall diameter ranging from about 60 micrometers to about 650 micrometers. Despite its small diameter, the braided structure can be creep resistant and abrasion resistant while at the same time exhibiting low elongation, a high load at break, and high stiffness. The braided structure can be used in medical applications such as sutures, load bearing orthopedic applications, artificial tendons/ligaments, fixation devices, actuation cables, components for tissue repair, etc.

Abstract: A fabric can comprise yarns comprising less than about 30 denier total and less than about 10 denier per filament; a density of greater than about 177 yarns per cm; and a thickness of less than about 3.2 mil. The fabric can further comprises a weight of less than about 60 g/m2. The fabric can have performance characteristics equivalent to or greater than those in conventional implantable fabrics. A method of making such a fabric can include twisting together filaments into a multifilament yarn; passing adjacent yarns into a loom in parallel so as to allow the yarns to be woven together more closely; maintaining a consistent tension on the yarns during placement of the yarns on a loom beam and during weaving; and or subjecting the fabric to increased heat and pressure so as to compress the yarns more tightly.

Abstract: A fabric can comprise yarns comprising less than about 30 denier total and less than about 10 denier per filament; a density of greater than about 177 yarns per m2; and a thickness of less than about 3.2 mil. The fabric can further comprises a weight of less than about 60 g/m2. The fabric can have performance characteristics equivalent to or greater than those in conventional implantable fabrics. A method of making such a fabric can include twisting together filaments into a multifilament yarn; passing adjacent yarns into a loom in parallel so as to allow the yarns to be woven together more closely; maintaining a consistent tension on the yarns during placement of the yarns on a loom beam and during weaving; and or subjecting the fabric to increased heat and pressure so as to compress the yarns more tightly.

Abstract: A fabric can comprise yarns comprising less than about 30 denier total and less than about 10 denier per filament; a density of greater than about 177 yarns per cm2; and a thickness of less than about 3.2 mil. The fabric can further comprises a weight of less than about 60 g/m2. The fabric can have performance characteristics equivalent to or greater than those in conventional implantable fabrics. A method of making such a fabric can include twisting together filaments into a multifilament yarn; passing adjacent yarns into a loom in parallel so as to allow the yarns to be woven together more closely; maintaining a consistent tension on the yarns during placement of the yarns on a loom beam and during weaving; and or subjecting the fabric to increased heat and pressure so as to compress the yarns more tightly.

Abstract: A fabric can comprise yarns comprising less than about 30 denier total and less than about 10 denier per filament; a density of greater than about 177 yarns per cm2; and a thickness of less than about 3.2 mil. The fabric can further comprises a weight of less than about 60 g/m2. The fabric can have performance characteristics equivalent to or greater than those in conventional implantable fabrics. A method of making such a fabric can include twisting together filaments into a multifilament yarn; passing adjacent yarns into a loom in parallel so as to allow the yarns to be woven together more closely; maintaining a consistent tension on the yarns during placement of the yarns on a loom beam and during weaving; and or subjecting the fabric to increased heat and pressure so as to compress the yarns more tightly.

Abstract: A fabric can comprise yarns comprising less than about 30 denier total and less than about 10 denier per filament; a density of greater than about 177 yarns per cm2; and a thickness of less than about 3.2 mil. The fabric can further comprises a weight of less than about 60 g/m2. The fabric can have performance characteristics equivalent to or greater than those in conventional implantable fabrics. A method of making such a fabric can include twisting together filaments into a multifilament yarn; passing adjacent yarns into a loom in parallel so as to allow the yarns to be woven together more closely; maintaining a consistent tension on the yarns during placement of the yarns on a loom beam and during weaving; and or subjecting the fabric to increased heat and pressure so as to compress the yarns more tightly.