Abstract: A package for a medical device such as an intermittent catheter has a case and a cap connected by threads. The case includes a hollow tube which is closed at one end and open at the other. A shoulder is formed near one end of the case. Above the shoulder is a cylindrical ferrule that includes external threads. The cap has internal threads selectably engageable with the threads on the ferrule to form a liquid-tight seal between the cap and case when the cap is installed on the case.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steerable medical or surgical device, in particular a steerable catheter having one or more actuators which may be integrated into a catheter without the need for welding the actuator to the catheter, the device comprising a main shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one braided actuator coupled to the main shaft at or adjacent the distal end.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a substrate and a cutting table secure to the substrate. The cutting table includes a first surface, a cutting surface, a first transition surface, and a second transition surface. The cutting surface at least substantially surrounds an outer boundary of the first surface and is angled relative to a longitudinal centerline of the cutting table. The first and second transition surfaces are between the cutting surface and an outer lateral edge of the cutting table. The first and second transition surfaces are oriented at a first angle and a second different angle, respectively, relative to the longitudinal centerline of the cutting table. An earth-boring tool and method of forming an earth-boring tool are also described.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a substrate and a cutting table secure to the substrate. The cutting table includes a first surface, a cutting surface, a first transition surface, and a second transition surface. The cutting surface at least substantially surrounds an outer boundary of the first surface and is angled relative to a longitudinal centerline of the cutting table. The first and second transition surfaces are between the cutting surface and an outer lateral edge of the cutting table. The first and second transition surfaces are oriented at a first angle and a second different angle, respectively, relative to the longitudinal centerline of the cutting table. An earth-boring tool and method of forming an earth-boring tool are also described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes a method of forming a body of an earth-boring downhole tool. A mold is formed that has at least one interior surface defining a mold cavity within the mold. The mold cavity has a shape corresponding to a shape of the body of the earth-boring downhole tool to be formed therein. At least one insert is formed that includes particles of hard-phase material and a binder material using an additive manufacturing process. The at least one insert is positioned within the mold cavity. Additional particles of hard-phase material are provided within the mold cavity, and the additional particles of hard-phase material are infiltrated with molten metal, thus sintering and/or infiltrating the at least one insert to form the body of the earth-boring downhole tool. The resulting body of the earth-boring downhole tool includes the sintered and/or infiltrated at least one insert.

Abstract: Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may include a rotationally leading end positioned and configured to engage with, and remove, a material of an earth formation. A transition region may extend from proximate to a periphery of the cutting element radially inward and axially toward the rotationally leading end. The transition region may include first faceted surfaces, each first faceted surface extending at a first angle relative to a central geometric axis of the cutting element. The transition region may also include second faceted surfaces, each second faceted surface extending at a second, different angle relative to the central geometric axis of the cutting element. The first faceted surfaces and the second faceted surfaces may intersect one another at edges around a periphery of the transition region.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a substrate and a volume of polycrystalline diamond (PDC) on the substrate. The PDC volume has a front cutting face, a lateral side surface, and a cutting edge between the front cutting face and the lateral side surface. The cutting edge has a cutting apex and extends between a first side flat surface and a second side flat surface. The side flat surfaces are disposed on opposing sides of the cutting apex. The cutting edge further includes a first chamfer surface and a second chamfer surface, which are located adjacent to one another and oriented at a first angle relative to one another at the cutting apex. The cutting edge includes one of: an arcuate edge having a radius of curvature; and a linear edge having discrete linear edges adjacent one another and separated by a second angle.

Abstract: A tool for drilling a borehole through a formation. The tool comprises a body, blades having rotationally leading surfaces extending from the tool body, cutting elements secured at least partially within cutting element pockets, and linear or rounded transition surfaces between the cutting element pockets and the rotationally leading surface of the blades. The rounded transition surfaces have a radius of curvature between about 3 and 150 millimeters.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a body having a plurality of blades. Each blade of the plurality of blades extends axially and radially relative to a center longitudinal axis of the body. The earth-boring tool further includes a plurality of cutting elements secured within the plurality of blades and at least one protrusion trailing at least one cutting element of the plurality of cutting elements in a direction of intended rotation of the earth-boring tool and extending along a lateral side of a blade of the plurality of blades in which the at least one cutting element is secured. The earth-boring tool may further include a pocket extending into the at least one blade from a rotationally leading face of the at least one blade in at least a shoulder region of the at least one blade.

Abstract: Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may include a rotationally leading end positioned and configured to engage with, and remove, a material of an earth formation. A transition region may extend from proximate to a periphery of the cutting element radially inward and axially toward the rotationally leading end. The transition region may include first faceted surfaces, each first faceted surface extending at a first angle relative to a central geometric axis of the cutting element. The transition region may also include second faceted surfaces, each second faceted surface extending at a second, different angle relative to the central geometric axis of the cutting element. The first faceted surfaces and the second faceted surfaces may intersect one another at edges around a periphery of the transition region.

Abstract: A cutting element for downhole drilling and related earth-boring tool for downhole drilling. The cutting element may include a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond material affixed to the substrate at an interface. The polycrystalline diamond material may include a raised cutting surface having at least two cutting edges, and first transition surfaces between the at least two cutting edges of the raised cutting surface and a side surface of the cutting element. The first transition surfaces may include multiple planar surfaces.

Abstract: Methods for forming fixed-cutter earth-boring drill bits include retrieving a forged steel drill bit body from an inventory of substantially identical forged steel drill bit bodies including fixed blades and junk slots between the fixed blades. Cutter pockets are formed in the blades. Nozzle holes are formed in the drill bit body to provide fluid communication from an interior of the forged steel drill bit body to the junk slots. Additional methods include forging first and second steel drill bit bodies substantially identical in shape and configuration, forming first cutter pockets in the first steel drill bit body in a first configuration, and forming second cutter pockets in the second steel drill bit body in a second, different configuration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an earth boring tool body including the following steps: providing a mold, the mold comprising a mold cavity defining an interior surface corresponding to an exterior shape of a tool body and a plurality of blades. Forming at least one barrier sleeve insert and disposing it adjacent the interior surface defining the mold cavity; disposing a first powder in the gap between the insert and the interior surface, disposing a second powder in the mold cavity; disposing an infiltrant material adjacent the powders; and heating the mold, thereby infiltrating the infiltrant material into the powders to form the tool body. The disclosure also includes a mold for manufacturing an earth boring tool, the mold comprising a mold cavity defining interior surfaces corresponding to an exterior shape of the tool body and the plurality of blades. Barrier sleeve inserts and/or containment sleeve inserts may be disposed adjacent interior surfaces the mold cavity.

Abstract: A tool for drilling a borehole through a formation. The tool comprises a body, blades having rotationally leading surfaces extending from the tool body, cutting elements secured at least partially within cutting element pockets, and linear or rounded transition surfaces between the cutting element pockets and the rotationally leading surface of the blades. The rounded transition surfaces have a radius of curvature between about 3 and 150 millimeters.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a body, at least one blade extending axially from the body, at least one cutting element mounted at a leading face of the at least one blade and at least one hybrid ovoid mounted at an axial end of the at least one blade and rotationally trailing the at least one cutting element. The at least one hybrid ovoid includes a cylindrical base portion, a domed upper portion extending from a top of the cylindrical base portion, and an at least substantially planar cutting surface formed in at least the domed upper portion and defining a cutting edge extending angularly through an angle of at least 180°, the at least substantially planar cutting surface is configured for a shear-type cutting action, oriented substantially in the direction of intended bit rotation, and exhibits a lesser aggressiveness than the aggressiveness of the at least one cutting element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steerable medical or surgical device, in particular a steerable catheter having one or more actuators which may be integrated into a catheter without the need for welding the actuator to the catheter, the device comprising a main shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one braided actuator coupled to the main shaft at or adjacent the distal end.

Abstract: Embodiments include load-balancing a plurality of simultaneous threads of a processor. An example method includes computing a minimum group count for a thread from the plurality of threads. The minimum group count indicates a minimum number of groups of instructions to be assigned to the thread. The method further includes computing a maximum allowed group count for the thread. The maximum allowed group count indicates a maximum number of groups of instructions to be assigned to the thread. The method further includes issuing one or more groups of instructions for execution by the thread based on the minimum group count and the maximum allowed group count for the thread.

Abstract: Methods for forming fixed-cutter earth-boring drill bits include retrieving a forged steel drill bit body from an inventory of substantially identical forged steel drill bit bodies including fixed blades and junk slots between the fixed blades. Cutter pockets are formed in the blades. Nozzle holes are formed in the drill bit body to provide fluid communication from an interior of the forged steel drill bit body to the junk slots. Additional methods include forging first and second steel drill bit bodies substantially identical in shape and configuration, forming first cutter pockets in the first steel drill bit body in a first configuration, and forming second cutter pockets in the second steel drill bit body in a second, different configuration.

Abstract: Methods for forming fixed-cutter earth-boring drill bits include retrieving a forged steel drill bit body from an inventory of substantially identical forged steel drill bit bodies including fixed blades and junk slots between the fixed blades. Cutter pockets are formed in the blades. Nozzle holes are formed in the drill bit body to provide fluid communication from an interior of the forged steel drill bit body to the junk slots. Additional methods include forging first and second steel drill bit bodies substantially identical in shape and configuration, forming first cutter pockets in the first steel drill bit body in a first configuration, and forming second cutter pockets in the second steel drill bit body in a second, different configuration.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a body having a plurality of blades. Each blade of the plurality of blades extends axially and radially relative to a center longitudinal axis of the body. The earth-boring tool further includes a plurality of cutting elements secured within the plurality of blades and at least one protrusion trailing at least one cutting element of the plurality of cutting elements in a direction of intended rotation of the earth-boring tool and extending along a lateral side of a blade of the plurality of blades in which the at least one cutting element is secured. The earth-boring tool may further include a pocket extending into the at least one blade from a rotationally leading face of the at least one blade in at least a shoulder region of the at least one blade.