The invention relates to a stent and a system for putting in place a stent. Said stent is used especially for splinting a vein and consists of a braided, tubular supporting member (2) that has a minimum length of 60 mm. The supporting member is braided from one or more wires in such a way that portions of the wire or wires, resp., delimit rhombuses. The disclosed stent is characterized in that in the unloaded state of the stent, the longitudinal size of most of the rhombuses (7) in the longitudinal direction (15) of the stent (1) is not shorter than the transversal size of the rhombuses.

This application describes a braided cord containing a braided sheath and optionally a core surrounded by the braided sheath. The braided cord has changing cross-sectional area ranging from 0.0004 mm.sup.2 to 30 mm.sup.2 and contains one or more sections having a tapering angle ranging from 1° to 60° when observed in one direction along the cord axis. The change in the cross-sectional area of the cord can be achieved by changing the thickness of the braided sheath and/or changing the cross-sectional area of the core when the core is present. The thickness of the braided sheath can be adjusted by changing the size and/or twist level of one or more sheath strands, changing the pick count of the braided sheath, and/or using one or more shaped sheath strands. This application also describes a process of producing the braided cord with changing cross-sectional area.

A braided support structure that folds upon release from a delivery device wherein said fold is at least partially effected by varying the pic angle of the braids at locations where the folding is desired.

An open frame prosthesis is formed with looped end terminations at its proximal and distal ends. At one end of the prosthesis, the filaments or strands are welded together in pairs to form strand couplings. A plurality of loop segments are connected to the strand couplings, one loop segment for each pair of adjacent strand couplings. In one version of the prosthesis, strands at the opposite end are bent to form looped ends. In another version, loop segments are connected to pairs of strand couplings at both ends of the prosthesis. The loop segments can be connected to the couplings by welding, fusion bonds, or tubes, which are either crimped or heat shrunk.

An open frame prosthesis is formed with looped end terminations at its proximal and distal ends. At one end of the prosthesis, the filaments or strands are welded together in pairs to form strand couplings. A plurality of loop segments are connected to the strand couplings, one loop segment for each pair of adjacent strand couplings. In one version of the prosthesis, strands at the opposite end are bent to form looped ends. In another version, loop segments are connected to pairs of strand couplings at both ends of the prosthesis. The loop segments can be connected to the couplings by welding, fusion bonds, or tubes, which are either crimped or heat shrunk.

A stretchable watch band can include braided strands that provide a comfortable fit around the wrist of the user. The watch band can stretch and conform to the user based on the elasticity within each strand and based on the ability of the strands to move relative to each other. End sections of the watch band can include attachment elements that securely connect the watch band to a housing of the watch. The end sections can be configured to releasable connect to the housing in a manner that is reliable and easy for a user. Additionally, the watch band can provide a smooth transition from the size and/or shape of the housing to a size and/or shape of a continuous section of the watch band. Additionally, the watch band can conceal portions thereof other than the braided strands when connected to the housing of the watch.

A stretchable watch band can include braided strands that provide a comfortable fit around the wrist of the user. The watch band can stretch and conform to the user based on the elasticity within each strand and based on the ability of the strands to move relative to each other. End sections of the watch band can include attachment elements that securely connect the watch band to a housing of the watch. The end sections can be configured to releasable connect to the housing in a manner that is reliable and easy for a user. Additionally, the watch band can provide a smooth transition from the size and/or shape of the housing to a size and/or shape of a continuous section of the watch band. Additionally, the watch band can conceal portions thereof other than the braided strands when connected to the housing of the watch.

An energy-absorbing member includes a fiber structure. The fiber structure includes a first end face configured to first receive a load and a second end face opposite to the first end face in the direction that the load is applied. The fiber structure includes a shape retention section including the first end face, a main section that includes the second end face and hinders propagation of breakage of the fiber structure, and a trigger section that is located between the shape retention section and the main section and serves as a starting point of breakage when receiving an impact load. The shape retention section and the main section each have a woven structure that allows the shape retention section and the main section to have a higher interlayer bonding strength than the trigger section.

In some examples, a method of making a therapy delivery element configured for at least partial insertion in a living body includes braiding a plurality of fibers to form an elongated braided structure with a lumen. At least one reinforcing structure is weaved into the fibers of the braided structure. A portion of the reinforcing structure is extended from the braided structure to form at least one fixation structure. At least one of the braided structure or the reinforcing structure can be attached to at least one of an electrode assembly or a connector assembly.

In some examples, a method of making a therapy delivery element configured for at least partial insertion in a living body includes braiding a plurality of fibers to form an elongated braided structure with a lumen. At least one reinforcing structure is weaved into the fibers of the braided structure. A portion of the reinforcing structure is extended from the braided structure to form at least one fixation structure. At least one of the braided structure or the reinforcing structure can be attached to at least one of an electrode assembly or a connector assembly.