Braiding mechanism and methods of use

A method for forming a tubular braid, comprising the steps of:

• providing a braiding mechanism comprising a disc defining a plane and a circumferential edge, a mandrel extending from a center of the disc and generally perpendicular to the plane of the disc, and a plurality actuators positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc;
• loading a plurality of filaments on the mandrel, each filament extending radially toward the circumferential edge of the disc, each filament contacting the disc at a point of engagement on the circumferential edge, each point of engagement being spaced apart a discrete distance from adjacent points of engagement, wherein a tensioning element is attached directly to each of the plurality of filaments;
• operating the plurality of actuators to engage a first subset of the plurality of filaments;
• operating the plurality of actuators to move the engaged first subset of filaments in a generally radial direction to a position beyond the circumferential edge of the disc;
• rotating the disc or the engaged first subset of filaments relative to one another, thereby crossing the filaments of the first subset over the filaments of a second subset of filaments;
• and
• operating the actuators to move the first subset of filaments to a radial position on the circumferential edge of the disc, wherein each filament in the first subset engages the circumferential edge of the disc at a circumferential distance from its previous point of engagement.