Abstract: A drill bit cable of breaking off and milling up the core of a material being drilled is disclosed. The drill bit includes a shaft having an internal fluid conduit, and a working portion adapted to drill a hole. The working portion includes an exterior shoulder and an exit port. The exit port comprises an exit channel that communicates fluid from the fluid conduit to the working portion of the drill bit. The axis of the exit channel is offset from the axis of the drill bit. The exit channel at least partially overlaps the axis of the drill bit in order to define the diameter of the core formed during the drilling process. The exit port also includes a radially expanding interior shoulder that is adapted to break off the core and mill up the core fragments to prevent the core from entering into the fluid conduit.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments provide, e.g., a high quality flexible tracheostomy tube assembly including an outer tracheostomy cannula and a disposable, flexible inner cannula. In preferred embodiments, the product provides a single patient use, sterile device.

Abstract: Textured indentations in the cutting surface of the core of a cutting tool are designed to accommodate a single layer of superabrasive grain. The superabrasive grain contained in these textured indentations is thereby oriented during metal bond brazing such that a cutting edge of the superabrasive grain is oriented outward from the plane of the cutting surface of the core. Enhanced bond life, cutting performance and tool life are achieved.

Abstract: An improved swivel joint capable of high pressure service for rotatably connecting two conduits. The swivel joint includes an inner conduit and an outer conduit which are secured together by means of ball bearings. In addition to the ball bearings, there exist wear pads to assist the ball bearings in carrying the load should the ball bearings or bearing races become worn. Additionally, the bearing races and wear pad contacting surfaces are hardened to provide the swivel joint with extended life. The unique design of the swivel joint allows it to be safely used in high pressure service.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing multiple polycrystalline diamond and/or CBN bodies. The method involves mixing a temporary binding agent, such as paraffin, with a quantity of the crystals and then molding or extruding that mixture to produce temporarily held bodies. The temporarily held bodies are then placed in a reaction chamber and surrounded by a pressure transmitting medium, such as powdered cemented tungsten carbide. Preferably, the paraffin is removed by heat and vacuum. The reaction chamber is then pressed and heated thereby creating discrete polycrystalline diamond and/or CBN bodies of approximately the same shape and size as the temporarily held bodies. The preferred embodiment also includes the step of placing a separating layer of cobalt and graphite powder around the temporarily held bodies before they are surrounded by the pressure transmitting medium.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond (PCD) body with improved thermal stability is disclosed which comprises a PCD body which has had at least one of its previously empty pores infiltrated by a silicon containing alloy. According to the process of the invention, a porous PCD body is obtained, preferably by acid leaching a PCD body which was formed in the presence of a metal catalyst such as cobalt. The porous PCD body is then surrounded by either the desired silicon containing alloy, or by the constituents of that alloy, each preferably in powdered form. The PCD body with its surrounding material is then heated and pressed to temperatures sufficient to melt the surrounding material (thereby forming the silicon alloy if not already formed) and to cause it to infiltrate into the pores. After the infiltration, it is preferred to remove the excess silicon containing alloy from the external surfaces of the PCD body, such as by an acid bath. It is also preferred to include several porous PCD bodies per process cycle.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond and metal element for use as a cutting element for drilling holes or similar uses. The cutting element comprises a polycrystalline diamond center portion and at least one metal side portion. The metal side portion is made from a soft metal having a Young's Modulus less than approximately 45.times.10.sup.6 psi and is selected from a group comprising cobalt, nickel, iron, copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium and alloys of these metals and intermetallic compounds containing these metals. Since the metal portion is sufficiently yielding the internal stresses formed in the polycrystalline diamond/metal bond during cooling and subsequent attachment to a tool body are signficantly reduced. The reduction the stress in the polycrystalline diamond/metal bond reduces fracturing in the diamond or metal and delamination of the polycrystalline diamond/metal interface during attachment to the tool and during use.

Abstract: A cutting element for drilling holes is disclosed which consists of five cutting edges which are comprised of polycrystalline diamond or the like mounted to a central carbide substrate or similar hard material held by a rotatable shaft which can be inserted into a drilling machine. The polycrystalline material is unsupported with respect to torsional forces exerted upon it during drilling. An advantage of this cutting member is its ability to cut straight new holes in hard or abrasive materials for substantially longer periods of time than presently available rotary drills.

Abstract: A high thermal conductivity substrate is formed by making a sintered diamond composite and thereafter modifying the electrical properties of the composite by leaching graphite and other non-diamond materials from the composite and subsequently infusing the leached composite with material having known electrical properties. Alternatively, a diamond composite having high thermal conductivity known electrical properties if prepared and subsequently leached to remove graphite and other materials which interfere with the known electrical properties of the composite material.

Abstract: A high thermal conductivity substrate is formed by making a sintered diamond composite and thereafter modifying the electrical properties of the composite by leaching graphite and other non-diamond materials from the composite and subsequently infusing the leached composite with material having known electrical properties. Alternatively, a diamond composite having high thermal conductivity known electrical properties is prepared and subsequently leached to remove graphite and other materials which interfere with the known electrical properties of the composite material.