Patent ID: 7938308

Claim:
A wire bonder comprising: a capillary through which a wire passes, a discharge tip positioned near a bottom section of the capillary and providing a flame to a distal end of the wire; and a gas diffuser positioned beside the capillary to diffuse a heated gas to the distal end of the wire, wherein the gas diffuser comprises: a body having an open space formed in an interior section and running a length of the body; an inlet port formed in the body and in flow communication with the open space; an outlet port formed in the body and in flow communication with the open space; a heater inserted into the open space; a gas supply connected to the inlet port; and a helical groove formed along an inner diameter surface of the open space in the body, the helical groove extending approximately from the inlet port to the outlet port; wherein the heater is inserted into the open space to form a gap between the heater and the helical groove, the heated gas flowing downwardly along the helical groove.