Flexible drill and method of joining nitinol to dissimilar metals

摘要

A flexible drill (10) with a shaft having a nitinol portion (15) (or nitinol region) provided between a stainless steel driver end (13) and a stainless steel drill tip (17). The flexible drill with nitinol shaft is provided with a bearing surface (20) to allow centering within a drill guide (80), low friction bearing and flexibility to drill around a curve. The bearing surface may be formed of a fluoropolymer such as LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene). The flexible drill shaft may be used through a drill guide, such as a curved drill sleeve.