Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drill bit. The drill bit includes, a body of the drill bit having at least two blades defining a junk slot therebetween, at least one cutter positioned on at least one of the at least two blades, and at least one diverter positioned downstream of the at least one cutter defined by a direction of travel of the cuttings, the at least one diverter configured to divert cuttings to travel along a trajectory more parallel to a profile of the junk slot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a drill bit for drilling subterranean formations. The method includes, forming a bit mold having at least one recess receptive of a distal portion of a prefabricated splitter, positioning the distal portion into one of the at least one recess, and filling the bit mold with at least one material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a downhole drill bit. The drill bit includes, a body, a plurality of cutters attached to the body, and at least one splitter that is integrally formed in the body is in operable communication with at least one of the plurality of cutters such that the splitter bifurcates cuttings cut by the at least one cutter.

Abstract: A rotary tool for drilling subterranean material is disclosed. The rotary tool includes a tool body having a distal crown end comprising a circumferential series of raised cutting blades with recessed junk slots therebetween. Cutting elements are located proximate a leading peripheral edge of the raised cutting blades and cutting control structures are located interiorly of the cutting elements at a leading surface of an adjacent junk slot. Cutting control structures are releasably secured to the tool body in the adjacent junk slot whereby a used rotary tool is refurbishable by removing worn cutting control structures without degradation to the tool body and replacing the worn cutting control structures by installing new cutting control structures in the worn cutting control structures' locations.

Abstract: The blades of a PDC bit have a nozzle between them preferably oriented laterally across the plane of the cutters on the blade and more preferably in a trough disposed adjacent the row of cutters. The cutting is less likely to adhere to the bit surface because the trough abruptly spaces back the bit surface and the spray being oriented radially preferably into the trough gets between the bit surface and the cutting before it can adhere to the bit surface using the fluid energy to drive the cutting into the junk slot.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit design for alleviating balling varies the junk slot depth in junk slots subject to balling from the other junk slots. Using variable depth bit bodies enhances the hydraulic characteristics of the bit as well as assists in the placement of the nozzles for machining purposes. This flexibility optimizes the area changes along the ducts required by the bit's operation.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit design for alleviating balling varies the junk slot depth in junk slots subject to balling from the other junk slots. Using variable depth bit bodies enhances the hydraulic characteristics of the bit as well as assists in the placement of the nozzles for machining purposes. This flexibility optimizes the area changes along the ducts required by the bit's operation.

Abstract: A nozzle for use on a rotary drill bit for forming a subterranean borehole includes a body and at least one passageway extending through the body from an inlet to an exit aperture. The passageway has a converging region and a diverging region. At least a portion of the diverging region of the fluid passageway is substantially bifurcated. A rotary drill bit for forming a borehole in a subterranean formation includes at least one such nozzle installed within a body of the bit and configured for communicating drilling fluid to a face of the body. A method of communicating fluid to a face of a drill bit includes introducing fluid into a passageway, causing the fluid to flow through a converging region, causing the drilling fluid to flow through a diverging region, and substantially bifurcating the drilling fluid at least within a portion of the diverging region.

Abstract: A nozzle for use on a rotary drill bit for forming a subterranean borehole includes a body and at least one passageway extending through the body from an inlet to an exit aperture. The passageway has a converging region and a diverging region. At least a portion of the diverging region of the fluid passageway is substantially bifurcated. A rotary drill bit for forming a borehole in a subterranean formation includes at least one such nozzle installed within a body of the bit and configured for communicating drilling fluid to a face of the body. A method of communicating fluid to a face of a drill bit includes introducing fluid into a passageway, causing the fluid to flow through a converging region, causing the drilling fluid to flow through a diverging region, and substantially bifurcating the drilling fluid at least within a portion of the diverging region.

Abstract: A core bit for cutting core samples in subterranean formations. The core bit has interior geometric features configured to control the quantity of drilling fluid, or flow split, flowing into a narrow annulus defined by an inside diameter of the core bit and an outside diameter of a core shoe. Reducing the flow split minimizes fluid invasion of a core being cut; thus, the core bit provides increased core quality and recoverability. The core bit is also adaptable for use with conventional core barrel assemblies and conventional coring techniques.

Abstract: A core bit for cutting core samples in subterranean formations. The core bit has interior geometric features configured to control the quantity of drilling fluid, or flow split, flowing into a narrow annulus defined by an inside diameter of the core bit and an outside diameter of a core shoe. Reducing the flow split minimizes fluid invasion of a core being cut; thus, the core bit provides increased core quality and recoverability. The core bit is also adaptable for use with conventional core barrel assemblies and conventional coring techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a system for promoting regeneration of a damaged nerve. In particular, the invention comprises: (1) a guide tube constructed to be attached to the damaged nerve; (2) guiding filaments disposed within the guide tube; and, (3) a therapeutic composition enclosed by the guide tube. Both the guide tube and the guiding filaments are composed of biologically compatible materials, while the therapeutic composition contains a nerve-growth-stimulating agent dispersed in a matrix-forming material. During treatment, the guide tube is inserted between the ends of lesioned nerves, resulting in the stimulation of axon growth.