Patent ID: 6410877
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B23H

Abstract:
A method for rough shaping a prosthtetic joint component that includes a generally spherical polycrystalline diamond compact, the method comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining a rotator having a longitudinal axis, said rotator being capable of rotating a part about said longitudinal axis, (b) obtaining an electro-discharge machining electrode that has a longitudinal axis, said electro-discharge machining electrode being capable of rotating about its longitudinal axis, (c) orienting said rotator and said electro-discharge machining electrode with respect to each other so that said electro-discharge machining electrode longitudinal axis and said rotator longitudinal axis are at an angle &bgr; with respect to each other, (d) attaching a prosthetic joint component that includes a polycrystalline diamond compact to said rotator, (e) rotating said joint component about said rotator longitudinal axis, (f) rotating said electro-discharge machining electrode about said electro-discharge machining electrode longitudinal axis, and (g) removing material from said prosthetic joint component by use of said electro-discharge machining electrode.