The disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a medical implant or structures for a medical implant. Disclosed is an improved occluder (1), which does not damage the surrounding body tissue. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a 3D fabric of strands for forming an occluder is provided. The method comprises intertwining the strands along a length of the 3D fabric for forming a primary 3D fabric structure. The intertwining is non-continuous, i.e. the braiding procedure can be halted, for forming a secondary structure of the 3D fabric without intertwining.