Cables and associated apparatus for clearing obstructions in pipes or other cavities are disclosed. In one implementation a device for clearing obstructions includes an elongate resilient central core member, an elongate coil spring surrounding the core member; and an elongate spacer positioned between the central core member and the coil spring.

A method for producing solidified fiber bundles includes applying a melt or solution to a carrier web forming a viscous coating, applying parallel filaments under tension to the carrier web, and pressing the filaments into the viscous coating, forming an impregnate. The coating is partially solidified until a plastically deformable state of the impregnate is obtained by vaporizing the solvent, thermal curing and/or cooling. The impregnate is rolled onto a winding core to form a roll while maintaining a winding tension of the filaments in the impregnate. The outer roll is fixed on the winding core by a sleeve and/or by adhesive tape. The impregnate is solidified by vaporizing the solvent, thermal curing and/or cooling. The solidified impregnate is divided up to form solidified fiber bundles. A pressure produced by the winding tension of the filaments in the impregnate is exerted on the roll.

A composite implant comprising an injectable matrix material which is flowable and settable, and at least one reinforcing element for integration with the injectable matrix material, the at least one reinforcing element adding sufficient strength to the injectable matrix material such that when the composite implant is disposed in a cavity in a bone, the composite implant supports the bone. A method for treating a bone, the method comprising: selecting at least one reinforcing element to be combined with an injectable matrix material so as to together form a composite implant capable of supporting the bone; positioning the at least one reinforcing element in a cavity in the bone; flowing the injectable matrix material into the cavity in the bone so that the injectable matrix material interfaces with the at least one reinforcing element; and transforming the injectable matrix material from a flowable state to a non-flowable state so as to establish a static structure for the composite implant, such that the composite implant supports the adjacent bone.

Provided is the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure with a less amount of internal voids or bubbles, and also to provide a 3D printer filament used for manufacturing such three-dimensional structure. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, the method comprises melting and depositing a filament using a 3D printer, the filament comprising a commingled yarn that contains a continuous reinforcing fiber (A) and a continuous thermoplastic resin fiber (B), with a dispersity of the continuous reinforcing fiber (A) in the commingled yarn of 60 to 100%.

The invention relates to a fixing thread 1, 5, 10, 16 for sewing together reinforcing fibers, in particular to form a fiber preform, for the production of a fiber-reinforced composite component by means of impregnation with a curable polymer material. According to the invention, the fixing thread 1, 5, 10, 16 has an interface 4, 9, 15, 19 for locally increasing the ductility of a matrix formed by the curable polymer material and has at least one core thread 2, 6, 11, 12, 17, so as in particular to reduce the tendency for microcracks to form in the matrix of the finished composite component in the regions where the fixing threads 1, 5, 10, 16 penetrate. The interface 4 may be formed, for example, by an enclosure of the core thread 1 by a thermoplastic polymer material, for example by polyethylene, polypropylene or the like.

A composite implant comprising an injectable matrix material which is flowable and settable, and at least one reinforcing element for integration with the injectable matrix material, the at least one reinforcing element adding sufficient strength to the injectable matrix material such that when the composite implant is disposed in a cavity in a bone, the composite implant supports the bone.

A method for treating a bone, the method comprising: selecting at least one reinforcing element to be combined with an injectable matrix material so as to together form a composite implant capable of supporting the bone; positioning the at least one reinforcing element in a cavity in the bone; flowing the injectable matrix material into the cavity in the bone so that the injectable matrix material interfaces with the at least one reinforcing element; and transforming the injectable matrix material from a flowable state to a non-flowable state so as to establish a static structure for the composite implant, such that the composite implant supports the adjacent bone.