A self-wrapping protective textile sleeve and method of construction is provided. The sleeve includes a braided, tubular wall having opposite free edges extending lengthwise between opposite ends. The wall has a first state with a decreased length, increased cross-sectional area and a second state with an increased length, decreased cross-sectional area, as viewed in cross-section taken generally transversely to a central longitudinal axis. The wall further includes braided, heat-set yarns imparting a bias on the wall, wherein the bias causes the wall to self-wrap into a tubular configuration and to remain substantially in the first and second states absent some externally applied force.

The present invention provides water-responsive, shape-memory natural fiber, yarn, fabric and textile comprising thereof with pore actuating function, and method for preparing the same. Fabric and textile prepared according to the present invention possess switchable pore size and shape responsive to varying water content absorbed thereby, and also exert corresponding thermal and water vapor regulations between the wearer and the surroundings with respect to the temperature and humidity changes.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize polymer fibers non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described. In some embodiments, thermally-powered polymer fiber torsional actuator has a twisted, chain-oriented polymer fiber that has a first degree of twist at a first temperature and a second degree of twist at a second temperature in which the bias angles of the first degree and second degree of twist are substantially different.

A smart (intelligent) textile that can control its porosity, shape, texture, loft, stiffness, or color by temperature change or moisture absorption by using polymer fiber torsional and tensile actuators. This temperature change can be due to a change in ambient temperature or by an external stimulus, such as electrothermal heating. Mechanisms to accomplish this include (a) direct actuation (contraction or expansion) of polymer fiber actuators in a textile structure (b) rotation of polymer fiber actuators helically wrapped around warp and/or weft yarns in a textile structure; (c) rotation of chenille type or ribbon-like warp (or weft) ends by polymer fiber torsional actuators; (d) contraction or expansion of piles or loops in a chenille type fancy yarn produced by using mandrel actuators as pile or loop part of the yarn; (e) buckling of warp (or weft) yarns by contraction of tensile polymer fiber actuators; (f) decrease in yarn diameter by a twisting effect of polymer fiber actuators; (g) contraction or expansion of segmented mandrel actuators with core filament, wire or yarns; or (h) rotation of differentially dyed polymer fiber actuators for color changing textiles.

The invention relates to a melt-spun thermoplastic polyurethane fiber which comprises a copolymer diol derived from caprolactone and polyether polyol and fabrics made therefrom, both of which are capable of being dyed under disperse dyeing conditions.

Stents are disclosed herein. In some embodiments stents within the scope of this disclosure may comprise a first flared end and second flared end. In some embodiments, a profile of each of the first flared end and the second flared end may circumscribe a portion of separate elliptical arcs. In some embodiments, the stents are formed from braided or woven wires having a constant pitch along a middle region and continuously varying pitches along the first flared end and the second flared end. Methods of manufacturing stents are disclosed herein. Methods of using stents are also disclosed herein.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twisted polymer fibers generate tensile actuation when powered thermally. In some embodiments, the thermally-powered polymer fiber tensile actuator can be incorporated into an article, such as a textile or garment.

Vascular treatment devices and methods include a woven structure including a plurality of bulbs that may be self-expanding, a hypotube, for example including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs, and a bonding zone between the woven structure and the hypotube. The woven structure may include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures may be heat treated to include various shapes at different temperatures. The woven structure may be deployable to implant in a vessel. A catheter may include a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs and optionally a balloon. Laser cutting systems may include fluid flow systems.

Garments having active and passive knitted rows can provide desired levels of compression. Garments made of active and passive knitted rows can provide dynamic levels of compression with respect to both location and over time to address a variety of conditions.

Vascular treatment devices and methods include a woven structure including a plurality of bulbs that may be self-expanding, a hypotube, for example including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs, and a bonding zone between the woven structure and the hypotube. The woven structure may include patterns of radiopaque filaments measurable under x-ray. Structures may be heat treated to include various shapes at different temperatures. The woven structure may be deployable to implant in a vessel. A catheter may include a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs and optionally a balloon. Laser cutting systems may include fluid flow systems.