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US 5,347,887 AGranted
Composite cutting edge
AssigneeMicrosurgical Techniques, Inc.
InventorsRichard D. Rosenthal, Gerald L. DePoorter, Ronald I. Christy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for shaping a blade edge and coating the: blade edge to improve the properties thereof is provided. The process includes an ion etching step using a collimated beam to reduce microcracks and an ion assisted processing step wherein ions are used to enhance the properties of a coating. The blade can then be sharpened again. The blade can be made from materials such as metal, ceramic of glass-ceramic.
Claims29
A process for making a blade, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a blade blank having a sharpened edge;
- (b) ion etching said edge with a collimated ion beam to sharpen said edge and to remove material therefrom, wherein the crack lengths of a majority of microcracks on said edge are reduced and the crack tip radii of a majority of microcracks on said edge are increased thereby toughening and strengthening said edge;
- and
- (c) depositing a coating on said edge using an ion assisted process.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.