Braided bodies having a reduced braid density while retaining high tensile properties. High tenacity fibers are braided together at a braid density of less than or equal to 20 picks per inch, wherein the tenacity of the braided body does not decrease with increasing braid density from 17 picks per inch to 19 picks per inch in length of the braided body.

Braided bodies having a reduced braid density while retaining high tensile properties. High tenacity fibers are braided together at a braid density of less than or equal to 20 picks per inch, wherein the tenacity of the braided body does not decrease with increasing braid density from 17 picks per inch to 19 picks per inch in length of the braided body.

A suture having a contoured surface may include a plurality of first ends having a first diameter and a plurality of second ends having a second diameter. The first and second ends may be braided together, wherein the first diameter is different than the second diameter to form the contoured surface. The first ends and the second ends may braided into a flat braid. In some embodiments, the first ends may comprise a material having a greater coefficient of friction than the second end. A method of securing first and second suture segments is also provided.

The present application pertains to a braided dual-sided compression packing seal, methods for producing and using such a seal, and apparatuses suitable for producing such a seal. The braided dual-sided compression packing seal is made up of two or more different materials that are braided together in such a way that, in cross-section, the compression packing seal has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is substantially perpendicular to a side of the compression packing seal. Accordingly, when viewed in a cross-sectional plane, the compression packing seal may expose substantially only a first material along a first side of the seal, and substantially only a second material along a second side of the seal.

The present application pertains to a braided dual-sided compression packing seal, methods for producing and using such a seal, and apparatuses suitable for producing such a seal. The braided dual-sided compression packing seal is made up of two or more different materials that are braided together in such a way that, in cross-section, the compression packing seal has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is substantially perpendicular to a side of the compression packing seal. Accordingly, when viewed in a cross-sectional plane, the compression packing seal may expose substantially only a first material along a first side of the seal, and substantially only a second material along a second side of the seal.

A triaxially braided strap includes a plurality of axial strands and a plurality of longitudinal strands including a first boundary strand and a second boundary strand. Each strand of the plurality of axial strands is routed, in a repeating pattern and in the following order: under the first boundary strand; around the first boundary strand; between respective portions of a pair of axial strands that are routed between the first boundary strand and the second boundary strand; under the second boundary strand; around the second boundary strand; and between respective portions of a pair of axial strands that are routed between the second boundary strand and the first boundary strand.

A triaxially braided strap includes a plurality of axial strands and a plurality of longitudinal strands including a first boundary strand and a second boundary strand. Each strand of the plurality of axial strands is routed, in a repeating pattern and in the following order: under the first boundary strand; around the first boundary strand; between respective portions of a pair of axial strands that are routed between the first boundary strand and the second boundary strand; under the second boundary strand; around the second boundary strand; and between respective portions of a pair of axial strands that are routed between the second boundary strand and the first boundary strand.

Provided is a polyethylene fiber having outstanding anti-creep characteristics while having high strength. The present invention provides an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber including ethyl branches as side chains, characterized in that the ratio {(C.sub.2H.sub.5/1000C)/(elongation stress)} of the number of ethyl branches per 1,000 carbon atoms (C.sub.2H.sub.5/1000C) to the elongation stress of the polyethylene fiber (MPa) is 2 to 30 branches/1,000 carbon atoms/MPa.

Provided is a thermal molding method for producing a thermally molded article having excellent abrasion resistance at its melt-fused part. Polyamide 6 and a copolyester are prepared separately. The copolyester contains terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol, and 1,4-butanediol as copolymerization units. The copolyester may further contain ε-caprolactone and/or diethylene glycol as a copolymerization unit. A multifilament yarn in which core-sheath type composite filaments each containing a core component and a sheath component at a ratio of 1 to 4:1 by mass are bundled is produced by a composite melt-spinning method using the polyamide 6 as the core component and the copolyester as the sheath component. Using the multifilament yarn, a product of filaments is produced by weaving, knitting, knitting and braiding, or braiding. The product of filaments is heated to melt the copolyester and fuse the core-sheath type composite filaments to each other while retaining the initial filament form of the polyamide 6, thus thermally molding the product of filaments.

The present invention includes, in one embodiment, a method of forming a suture having various cross-sectional shapes, the method including the steps of braiding the suture such that the suture has a first cross-sectional shape along a length; holding a first end of the suture and holding the suture at a second position at a location in between the first end and a second end such that a first portion of the suture is defined between the first end and the second position; manipulating the first end relative to the second position to alter the first portion of the suture into an altered cross-sectional shape different from the first cross-sectional shape; and releasing the first end and the second position, wherein the step of manipulating is performed such that, upon release, the first portion maintains its manipulated shape.