A braider and a tube body in which braids are arranged on an outer peripheral surface of a mandrel uniformly even if the diameter of the mandrel is uneven. A braider 1 has bobbin carrier conveyance mechanisms 50A and 50B in which bobbin carriers 40A and 40B are conveyed from traveling tracks W1 and W2 to an outside of the traveling tracks W1 and W2 so as to stop winding of braids Y1 and Y2 onto a mandrel 2 and the bobbin carriers 40A and 40B are conveyed from the outside of the traveling tracks W1 and W2 to the traveling tracks W1 and W2 so as to start the winding of the braids Y1 and Y2 onto the mandrel 2.

A wire tension control device including a bobbin and a magnetic moment generator is provided. The bobbin is configured to provide a wire. The magnetic moment generator includes a stator and a rotor relatively rotatable with respect to the stator. The rotor is connected to the bobbin. When the bobbin drives the rotor to rotate, the magnetic moment generator generates a tension on the wire.

Braiding machine comprising a series of plates arranged in a continuous manner in a closed circuit, each plate comprising a number of slots that accommodate a number of spindles with a guide; at least one drive means that drives the plates, guide channels where the spindle guides run and at least two diverter channels having two positions: a first position for continuous rotation in one same plate and a second position, for switching plates.

Braiding machine comprising a series of plates arranged in a continuous manner in a closed circuit, each plate comprising a number of slots that accommodate a number of spindles with a guide; at least one drive means that drives the plates, guide channels where the spindle guides run and at least two diverter channels having two positions: a first position for continuous rotation in one same plate and a second position, for switching plates.

An apparatus for manipulating a material is provided. The apparatus may comprise a magnetic device arranged in a three-dimensional configuration. The apparatus may comprise a surface on which at least one carrier is configured to move. The magnetic device may be configured to provide a magnetic field for driving the carrier on the surface to manipulate a material. The apparatus may comprise a controller configured to control the magnetic device to modulate the magnetic field. The controller may be further configured to detect a position and/or motion of the carrier.

An apparatus for making surgical braids comprises a plurality of bobbin carrier assemblies. An active track engages at least some of the bobbin carrier assemblies. A passive track arranged to selectively engage at least one of the bobbin assemblies, and a gate positioned between the active track and the passive track. The gate defines an inter-track path and an intra-track path. The gate has an open position wherein the inter-track path is aligned between the active and passive tracks. The gate further has a closed position wherein the intra-track path is aligned with the active track.

An apparatus for making surgical braids comprises a plurality of bobbin carrier assemblies. An active track engages at least some of the bobbin carrier assemblies. A passive track arranged to selectively engage at least one of the bobbin assemblies, and a gate positioned between the active track and the passive track. The gate defines an inter-track path and an intra-track path. The gate has an open position wherein the inter-track path is aligned between the active and passive tracks. The gate further has a closed position wherein the intra-track path is aligned with the active track.

A method of making a surgical braid. The method comprises moving a plurality of bobbins along an active track, the active track being an endless track; and selectively moving a bobbin to a passive track while continuing to move the remaining bobbins along the active track.

A method of making a surgical braid. The method comprises moving a plurality of bobbins along an active track, the active track being an endless track; and selectively moving a bobbin to a passive track while continuing to move the remaining bobbins along the active track.

A method of making a cut braid. The method comprises moving a plurality of bobbins around an endless track in a braiding machine; braiding a plurality of strands from the bobbins into a braid; passing the braid through a take-up mechanism; moving the braid along a continuous path, the continuous path extending from the braiding machine, through a take-up mechanism, and at least partially through a cutting machine; and cutting the braid in the cutting machine to form a cut braid.