US Patent 8430012 Braiding mechanism and methods of use

A device and method for forming a tubular braid comprising a plurality of filaments. The braiding machine comprises a disc with a mandrel extending from the center in a perpendicular direction and a plurality of catch mechanisms arranged circumferentially around the edge of the disc. A plurality of filaments are temporarily affixed to the mandrel, each filament extending from the mandrel toward the edge of the disc and engaging the edge of the disc at a discrete point of engagement. The plurality of catch mechanisms are attached to actuators adapted to move the catch mechanisms in a generally radial direction relative to the edge of the disc to allow the catch mechanism to engage a subset of the filaments and move the engaged filaments beyond the circumferential edge of the disc.