Stents generally can include a tubular structure having circumferentially positioned undulating wires that extend over a majority of a length of the stent such that the undulations oscillate circumferentially to define a circumference of the stent. The undulations can wrap over and under adjacent undulations to form an interwoven structure. Additionally, or alternatively, adjacent wires can be joined. Wires forming the stent can be cut from elastic tubing such that each wire has a three-dimensional shape.

Provided is a cylindrical embedded material for medical use, in which a plurality of structure bodies are connected in an axial direction, wherein the structure body elements each have an enclosure part configured for enclosing inside thereof, wherein the cylindrical embedded material connection part in which a structure body element of a first structure body and a structure body element of a second structure body connected in the axial direction, wherein the enclosure part has a spacing part to separate the fibers, wherein the cylindrical embedded material has a covering part, and wherein the covering part has elasticity which allows for movement of the fibers to narrow the spacing part when an external force is applied to the structure body element and allows for restoration of positions of the moved fibers when the external force is removed.

A medical device is disclosed and may have a spiral shape structure that can function as a stent, such as a flow diversion stent to treat aneurysms. The medical device may have a spiral shape structure that can function as an occlusive device, for instance to occlude aneurysms. The medical device may include a shape setting structure to selectively adjust the shape of the medical device.

Multi-filament microcables are used in place of the traditional monofilament wires as the constituent elements of a woven or braided band. This enhances the function and manufacturability of such bands for various applications, such as orthopaedic applications including sternotomy closures.

An illustrative stent may comprise an elongated tubular member having a first end and a second end and an intermediate region disposed therebetween. The elongated tubular member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The elongated tubular member may comprise at least one twisted filament, such as a knitted filament having a plurality of twisted knit stitches with intermediate rung portions extending between adjacent twisted knit stitches, or a plurality of helical filaments twisted with a plurality of longitudinal filaments.

A braided member can include a first set of yarns extending in a first direction, a second set of yarns extending in a second direction and intertwined with the first set of yarns, and a set of axial yarns extending along a longitudinal axis of the braided member and disposed between the first set of yarns and the second set of yarns. The braided member can include a tubular braid.

An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system can include a first automated fixture that includes an articulating arm and a target device holder. The system can also include one or more additional automated fixtures, which can be configured as one or more suturing arms that include another articulating arm and a needle holder. The first automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder to allow the one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a targeting system configured to provide positioning feedback to the system.

A stabilized fabric composed of a mesh or a woven fabric is disclosed as are methods of their manufacture, the manufacture of medical devices made using a stabilized fibers and stabilized medical devices are all disclosed. Fabrics can be stabilized by several techniques including: using mechanical, chemical and/or energetic fasteners at warp and weft intersections in the weave; by using various weaving techniques and fibers. Meshes can be stabilized when properly dimensioned and arranged junctions and struts of the necessary properties are used. All of these stabilized fabrics can be made of synthetic polymer materials such as ultrahigh molecular weight PE or PP and expanded PTFE.

An illustrative stent may comprise an elongated tubular member having a longitudinal axis, the elongated tubular member comprising at least one knitted filament forming a plurality of twisted knit stitches with intermediate rung portions extending circumferentially between radially adjacent twisted knit stitches. Each twisted knit stitch may be interconnected with a longitudinally adjacent twisted knit stitch forming a series of linked stitches. The elongated tubular member may be configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein in the collapsed configuration the series of linked stitches form longitudinal columns and in the expanded configuration the series of linked stitches extend helically around the elongated tubular member.

A semi-automatic precision positioning robot apparatus and method for use of the same to hold, position, orient and/or move a workpiece are provided. The positioning apparatus utilizes an actuator system of a given configuration to manipulate a workpiece holding unit with multiple degrees of freedom to achieve various positions and orientations. An associated tool may further be provided to interact with the workpiece in various positions and orientations. The positioning apparatus enables an operator to obtain high degrees of maneuverability while maintaining precision and consistency in the manufacture and production of various products and components.