Patent ID: 8322467

Claim:
A bit for drilling subterranean formations, the bit comprising: a body; and a plurality of cutting elements disposed onto the bit and comprising: an ultra-hard body formed from a material selected from the group consisting of diamond, polycrystalline diamond, thermally stable polycrystalline diamond, cubic boron nitride, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, and combinations thereof; and a substrate attached to the ultra-hard body and being formed from a material having different mechanical or thermal properties than that of the ultra-hard body; wherein an interface exists between the body and the substrate, and wherein the cutting element has an angle of departure as measured inside the cutting element between the interface and an outer side surface feature of both the body and substrate adjacent the interface that is less than about 90 degrees, and wherein the outer side surface feature of the body is exposed and free to contact a subterranean formation being drilled when the bit is placed into use.