Orthopaedic wire with an enlarged end and method of forming the same
AssigneeZimmer, Inc.
InventorClarence M. Panchison
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing a strong orthopaedic wire (30). A block (20) has an opening (26) with an interior diameter which is slightly larger than an outside diameter (28) of the wire (30). The wire (30) is placed within the opening (26) such that an end (36) of the wire (30) extends a predetermined distance (40) above the block (20). The extending end (36) is heated (e.g. by applying an electric current) until the metal from which the wire is made reaches the wire melting point. The molten metal is allowed to fall via gravitational force against the block (20), whereby the extending end (36) forms an enlarged end (42) on the wire (30).
Claims18
A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic wire, comprising the steps of:
- providing a block having an opening therethrough, said opening sized to receive the wire therein;
- placing the wire within said opening such that an end of the wire extends a predetermined distance above said block;
- applying an electrical current to the extending end of the wire, said electrical current being of sufficient magnitude to increase the temperature of the extending end to the melting point of the wire;
- and
- allowing the molten metal to fall via gravitational force against the block, whereby said extending end forms an enlarged end on said wire.
A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic wire, comprising the steps of:
- providing a block having an opening therethrough, said opening sized to receive the wire therein;
- placing the wire within said opening such that an end of the wire extends a predetermined distance above said block;
- heating the extending end until the metal from which the wire is made reaches an associated melting point;
- and
- allowing the molten metal to fall via gravitational force against the block, whereby said extending end forms an enlarged end on said wire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.