Method for manufacturing a surgical instrument for gripping and / or holding and / or guiding a needle

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a surgical instrument for grasping and / or holding and / or guiding a needle, the method comprising: a) providing a first arm portion (10) and a second arm portion (10'), each having a distal holding jaw (30, 30) with a recess, each having a solder deposit area at a free end of the distal holding jaw (30, 30'); b) inserting a hard metal insert (40) into the recess in the distal holding jaw (30) of the first arm portion (10) and inserting a hard metal insert (40') into the recess in the distal holding jaw (30') of the second arm portion (10'); and c) joining the first arm portion (10) and the second arm portion (10'). a) joining the first arm portion (10) and the second arm portion (10') together, wherein when joined, the first arm portion (10) and the second arm portion (10') are attached so as to be pivotable relative to each other at the joint portion (20) in the joined state; d) filling the solder depot area of ​​the first arm portion (10) and filling the solder depot area of ​​the second arm portion (10) with solder in each case; and e) using solder in each case to solder a hard metal insert (40) inserted in a recess in the distal holding jaw (30') of the first arm portion (10) to the first arm portion (10) and to solder a hard metal insert (40') inserted in a recess in the distal holding jaw (30') of the second arm portion (10') to the second arm portion (10').

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a surgical instrument for gripping and / or holding and / or guiding a needle, in particular a surgical needle.

Background Art

[0002] Special surgical instruments, in particular surgical needle holders, are used for gripping, holding and guiding surgical needles.

[0003] A surgical needle holder has two arm parts which are mirror images of each other and are pivotably attached to each other at a joint or joint operating point. Usually, each of the arm parts has a distal holding jaw or distal clamping jaw containing a hard metal insert. The hard metal insert is inserted into a recess of the holding jaw or clamping jaw. Thanks to the hard metal insert, it is advantageously possible to slow down the occurrence of profile wear. In order to hold the needle without slippage or tilting, the hard metal insert can have a cross-shaped profile, and the profile can be pressed into the form of a pyramid or ground in a pyramid-shaped check pattern using a diamond tool.

[0004] Normally, the hard metal insert is joined to a hardened arm part intended for the manufacture of a surgical needle holder in a so-called brazing process using silver solder. However, the drawback here is that brazing requires a temperature that is also problematic with respect to the transformation of the microstructure, i.e., with respect to corrosion resistance. This is particularly true when the arm part is made of martensitic material. Another drawback is that the silver hard solder itself may show black discoloration over time for reprocessing of the instrument.

[0005] Alternatively, the hard metal insert can be connected to the arm part intended for the manufacture of a surgical needle holder in a so-called high-temperature vacuum soldering process during the hardening process. However, the drawback here is that the different coefficients of thermal expansion of the base material or carrier material used for the arm part (generally stainless steel) and the hard metal used for the hard metal insert have a significant impact due to the large temperature difference during the hardening process. Therefore, even if the hard metal insert is held and correctly positioned within the recess of the clamp jaw, relative movement can occur within the hardening furnace. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a surgical instrument for gripping and / or holding and / or guiding a needle, in particular a surgical needle, whereby the drawbacks occurring in the types of methods in question are partially or completely avoided, and in particular, the surgical instrument for gripping and / or holding and / or guiding a needle, in particular a surgical needle, will have increased stability and corrosion resistance.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method having the features described in independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of dependent claims 2 to 13. The wording of all the patent claims is incorporated into the content of this specification by express reference.

[0008] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a surgical instrument for guiding and / or holding and / or gripping a needle, in particular a surgical needle. The surgical instrument is preferably a surgical needle holder or surgical forceps. The method, in particular in chronological order, comprises the following steps, namely, a) providing a first arm part and a second arm part, each of the first arm part and the second arm part having a distal holding jaw with a recess, and each having a solder deposit, in particular in the form of a cavity, at the free end of the distal holding jaw, said providing; b) inserting a hard metal insert into the recess in the distal holding jaw of the first arm portion and inserting a hard metal insert into the recess in the distal holding jaw of the second arm portion, and c) joining or connecting the first arm portion and the second arm portion, preferably, the first arm portion and the second arm portion being pivotably attached to each other at a joint or articulation point in the joined or connected state, said joining or connecting; d) in each case, filling the solder depot of the first arm portion and filling the solder depot of the second arm portion with solder; e) in each case, soldering the hard metal insert inserted into the recess in the distal holding jaw of the first arm portion to the first arm portion and soldering the hard metal insert inserted into the recess in the distal holding jaw of the second arm portion to the second arm portion.

[0009] The expression "solder depot" is to be understood in the context of the present invention as a depot that is filled with solder and designed or configured to maintain or store the solder after filling, i.e., to make the solder available, i.e., a storage or storage mechanism.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, the expression "distal" is intended to mean a direction away from the center of the human or animal body or being located further away from the center of the human or animal body.

[0011] In the context of the present invention, the expression "proximal" is intended to mean a direction towards the center of the human or animal body or being located closer to the center of the human or animal body.

[0012] The present invention is distinguished in particular by the following advantages. By using a solder deposit integrated at the free end of the distal holding jaw, the metering of the amount of solder required for soldering and the control of the solder flow during the soldering process can be achieved particularly advantageously. As a result, excess solder, overly large hard metal inserts, and the use of solder stops become unnecessary. The metering of the amount of solder can advantageously be defined via the volume of the solder deposit. The control of the solder flow is preferably based on capillary action, whereby the solder is drawn into the solder gap existing between the inserted hard metal insert and the distal holding jaw, and the capillary action is interrupted at the end of the solder gap and the solder does not flow any further. As a result, the problems described in the introduction in connection with excess solder and uncontrolled solder flow can be particularly advantageously avoided. For example, there is no need to grind away excess solder and / or protruding hard metal inserts. Instead, any grinding process following the soldering process can be limited, for example, to dimensioning between the hard metal insert and the distal holding jaw and removing any remaining solder residues. As a result, the amount of expensive carbide used can be reduced. Thus, the method according to the invention is distinguished overall by improved process reliability, in particular by a reduction in the amount of manual work involved. As a result, higher product quality can be achieved. Furthermore, manufacturing costs can be reduced by avoiding scrap and reducing the work required. Finally, it is beneficial that a more stable surgical instrument for gripping and / or holding and / or guiding the needle can be manufactured by the method according to the invention, which method reduces stress peaks and thus the risk of breakage.

[0013] The expression "hard metal insert" should be understood in the context of the present invention to mean an insert that contains or consists of hard metal, in particular as the main component.

[0014] The expression "cemented carbide" should be understood to mean, in the context of the present invention, a metal-matrix composite material in which hard materials existing as small particles are combined and held by a matrix composed of a metal or an alloy. As a result, cemented carbide is somewhat less hard than pure hard materials, but is clearly robust. On the other hand, they are harder than pure metals, alloys, and hardened steel.

[0015] Preferably, the first arm portion and the second arm portion are mirror images of each other. Preferably, the first arm portion has a first gripping portion, in particular a first finger opening, at the proximal end, and the second arm portion has a second gripping portion, in particular a second finger opening, at the proximal end.

[0016] Preferably, each of the first arm portion and the second arm portion comprises stainless steel as a base or carrier material. In particular, in each of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, most or all can be made of stainless steel. The stainless steel is preferably corrosion-resistant stainless steel, preferably corrosion-resistant martensitic stainless steel, particularly preferably corrosion-resistant martensitic stainless steel having a material number 1.4021.

[0017] The preferably used cemented carbide inserts are cemented carbide inserts comprising a metal matrix composed of cobalt and / or nickel and a hard material selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide (WC), titanium carbide (TiC), titanium nitride (TiN), niobium carbide, tantalum carbide, vanadium carbide, and mixtures thereof. In particular, each of the cemented carbide inserts can have a nickel content of 8% to 20% by weight and a metal carbide content, particularly a tungsten carbide content, of 80% to 92% by weight based on the total weight of a specific cemented carbide insert.

[0018] Preferably, the hard metal insert also has a profiled, in particular serrated or toothed surface, preferably a cross-shaped profile and / or a surface with a pyramidal check pattern. As a result, a grip and / or retention and / or guidance of the needle without inclination and / or slippage can be achieved particularly advantageously.

[0019] Furthermore, the hard metal insert can have a surrounding chamfer.

[0020] Particularly preferably, a hard metal insert having a shape complementary to, for example, the shape of a toothed profile, a surrounding chamfer, and the recess of the distal retention jaws is manufactured by a near-net shape forming process.

[0021] The surgical instrument manufactured by the method according to the invention can comprise a locking mechanism in the form of a locking arm having a latch hook, the locking arms extending away from each other in the vicinity of the gripping part described above and facing each other. When the distal retention jaws are in the closed state, the latch hooks of the locking arms can be positively locked to each other such that the thread between the distal retention jaws, or the corresponding needles, remain automatically firmly held. This lock can be released by the user operating the surgical instrument as a result of the gripping parts being further pressed together and moved slightly apart along the plane of the retention jaws. Then, the surgical instrument and the distal retention jaws can be opened.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, when performing step b, the hard metal insert is positively inserted into the recess in the distal retention jaws. As a result, a high degree of accuracy in fitting and positioning can be achieved. In particular, in this way, displacement of the hard metal insert can be completely or at least largely avoided.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, when performing step b, the nose-shaped shape-fitting section of the hard metal insert is inserted into a complementary (i.e., shape-complementary) region of the recess in the distal holding jaw, thereby being held in a shape-fitting manner. The nose-shaped shape-fitting section generally allows for displacement between the hard metal insert and the arm section or the distal holding jaw while performing step e (due to the different material expansions of the hard metal and the base or carrier material of the arm section, preferably stainless steel). Nevertheless, the nose-shaped shape-fitting section can particularly advantageously ensure the accurate alignment, especially the centering, of the hard metal insert.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, each solder deposit is in the form of a cavity, particularly in the form of an elongated or elongated and particularly channel-shaped cavity. Particularly preferably, the cavity extends in the axial direction of the distal holding jaw. The cavity can generally have a cross-section that is polygonal, particularly triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal, or hexagonal. However, preferably, the cavity has no corners and particularly has a circular, oval, or elliptical cross-section. A particularly specific control of the solder flow when performing step e can be advantageously achieved particularly by the elongated or elongated design of the cavity.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cavity has an inner diameter of 0.3 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm, and / or a length of 4 mm to 15 mm, preferably 7 mm to 12 mm. The amount of solder for performing step e can be particularly advantageously controlled via the inner diameter and / or the length of the cavity. Separately from that, the advantages mentioned in the previous section apply mutatis mutandis.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, step c is performed between step b and step e, particularly between step b and step d.

[0027] To carry out step c, the first arm part and the second arm part can be screwed to each other at the joint part or joint point, for example, using a screw, especially a lock screw.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the present invention, when carrying out step d, the solder deposits are each filled with solder through an inlet opening formed in the end face of the free end of the distal holding jaw. The solder deposits can be filled with solder, for example, using a metering aid, especially a syringe.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the present invention, step d is carried out between step b and step e, especially between step c and step e.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the solder used is nickel solder, i.e., a nickel alloy or nickel-containing alloy (according to EN ISO 17672), especially selected from the group consisting of Ni600, Ni610, Ni612, Ni620, Ni630, Ni631, Ni650, Ni700, Ni710, Ni720, Ni800 and mixtures thereof.

[0031] Nickel solder Ni600 is preferably a nickel alloy having a melting temperature range of 980°C to 1060°C. The nickel alloy consists of the following components, i.e., 14% by weight of chromium, 4.5% by weight of silicon, 3.1% by weight of boron, 4.5% by weight of iron, 0.75% by weight of carbon, and the balance consists of nickel and optionally impurities.

[0032] Nickel solder Ni610 is preferably a nickel alloy having a melting temperature range of 980°C to 1070°C. It consists of the following components, i.e., 14% by weight of chromium, 4.5% by weight of silicon, 3.1% by weight of boron, 4.5% by weight of iron, and the balance consists of nickel and optionally impurities.

[0033] Nickel solder Ni612 is preferably a nickel alloy with a melting temperature of 1055 °C and consists of the following components, namely, 15% by weight of chromium and 3.6% by weight of boron, with the balance being nickel and optionally impurities.

[0034] Nickel solder Ni620 is preferably a nickel alloy having a melting temperature range of 970 °C to 1000 °C and consists of the following components, namely, 7% by weight of chromium, 4.5% by weight of silicon, 3.1% by weight of boron, and 3% by weight of iron, with the balance being nickel and optionally impurities.

[0035] Nickel solder Ni630 is a nickel alloy having a melting temperature range of 980 °C to 1040 °C and consists of the following components, namely, 4.5% by weight of silicon and 3.1% by weight of boron, with the balance being nickel and optionally impurities.

[0036] Nickel solder Ni631 is preferably a nickel alloy having a melting temperature range of 980 °C to 1070 °C and consists of the following components, namely, 3.5% by weight of silicon and 1.9% by weight of boron, with the balance being nickel and optionally impurities.

[0037] Nickel solder Ni650 is preferably a nickel alloy having a melting temperature range of 1080 °C to 1135 °C and consists of the following components, namely, 19% by weight of chromium and 10% by weight of silicon, with the balance being nickel and optionally impurities.

[0038] Nickel solder Ni700 is preferably a nickel alloy having a melting temperature of 875 °C and consists of the following component, namely, 11% by weight of phosphorus, with the balance being nickel and optionally impurities.

[0039] Nickel solder Ni710 is preferably a nickel alloy having a melting point of 890 °C and consists of the following components, namely, 14% by weight of chromium and 10% by weight of phosphorus, with the balance being nickel and optionally impurities.

[0040] Nickel solder Ni720 is preferably a nickel alloy having a melting temperature range of 880°C to 950°C and consists of the following components, namely, 25% by weight of chromium and 10% by weight of phosphorus, with the balance being nickel and optionally impurities.

[0041] Nickel solder Ni800 is preferably a nickel alloy having a melting temperature range of 980°C to 1010°C and consists of the following components, namely, 7% by weight of silicon, 23% by weight of manganese, and 4.5% by weight of copper, with the balance being nickel and optionally impurities.

[0042] The above nickel solders are particularly preferred according to the present invention because their melting temperature range or melting temperature is compatible with the temperature required for hardening the arm portion, particularly the joined arm portion. As a result, when step e is performed, hardening of the arm portion, particularly the joined arm portion, can also be achieved particularly advantageously at the same time.

[0043] In a further embodiment of the present invention, when step e is performed, the solder exits from the outlet opening in the solder depot in each case, and this outlet opening opens into the bottom of the recess in the distal holding jaw. Preferably when step e is performed, the solder advances from the solder depot to the bottom of the recess in the distal holding jaw under the action of capillary forces. This in turn means that the solder from the solder depot can spread uniformly within the solder gap formed between the hard metal insert and the distal holding jaw without leaking from the solder gap. Further, during the execution of step e, the distal holding jaws can be prevented from being soldered to each other. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the inlet opening and the outlet opening are arranged at an acute angle or perpendicular to each other.

[0044] Preferably, in order to carry out step e, the arm part, in particular the joined arm part, is clamped or suspended by means of a suspension device such that the free end of the distal holding jaw having the solder deposit is directed upwards. As a result, when step e is carried out, the solder can spread particularly well into the solder gap formed between the hard metal insert and the distal holding jaw, thanks to the liquefaction of said solder and gravity and preferably capillary action.

[0045] More preferably, step e is carried out in a vacuum furnace or a protective gas furnace, for example under a hydrogen or argon atmosphere.

[0046] Particularly preferably, step e is carried out in a high-temperature soldering process, in particular in accordance with DIN 8593-7.

[0047] In particular, by means of step e, hardening of the arm part can also be achieved particularly advantageously. In particular, the arm part, or the surgical instrument produced by means of the invention, can achieve an HRC hardness (Rockwell hardness) of 42 HRC to 50 HRC. Thus, in particular, an independent hardening step is not necessary before carrying out step e. This means a (further) simplification of the process flow and in particular can save time and costs.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the invention, after step e has been carried out, the method further comprises a step f of removing the solder deposit.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the present invention, when performing step f, the solder deposits are each removed by breaking a predetermined breaking line or a predetermined breaking point / thin site. The predetermined breaking line or the predetermined breaking point / thin site each preferably extends circumferentially of the distal holding jaw. Particularly preferably, the predetermined breaking line or the predetermined breaking point / thin site is each formed between the free end of the distal holding jaw having the solder deposit and the solder deposit-free section of the distal holding jaw adjacent to the free end of the distal holding jaw. The predetermined breaking line or the predetermined breaking point / thin site may be in the form of, for example, a perforation, a notch, or a cut-off line. The predetermined breaking line or the predetermined breaking point / thin site advantageously enables the simple manual removal of the (external) solder deposit by breaking, particularly without using any additional tools and without the risk of damaging the arm part and thus the surgical instrument being manufactured.

[0050] Alternatively, when performing step f, the free end of the distal holding jaw can be ground up to a predetermined breaking line or a predetermined breaking point / thin site.

[0051] Furthermore, after step e, particularly after step f, the method can comprise a further step g of grinding the hard metal insert and / or the distal holding jaw used. As a result, the difference in tolerances between the hard metal insert and the arm part / distal holding jaw can be advantageously ignored, and in particular, the remaining solder can be removed.

[0052] Further advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which are described on the basis of manufacturing examples and on the basis of the drawings and their associated description.

[0053] (Section of the example) (Method for manufacturing a surgical needle holder) The arm portion of the surgical needle holder was manufactured from a stainless steel (1.4021) sheet having a thickness of 5.5 mm. Thereafter, milling was performed to produce recesses for closing the joint portion, and one recess was produced in each region of the distal holding jaws of the arm portion. Further, drilling was performed to form a hollow solder depot at the free ends of the distal holding jaws.

[0054] The hard metal inserts to be inserted into the recesses of the distal holding jaws were manufactured by a near-net shape forming process. The hard metal inserts thus manufactured each had a toothed profile, a surrounding chamfer portion on the toothed profile, and a matching outer shape for insertion into the recesses of the distal holding jaws. For example, the related hard metal inserts could be manufactured by pressing or MIM (metal injection molding). Next, the hard metal inserts thus manufactured were sintered.

[0055] Next, the hard metal inserts were inserted into the recesses of the distal holding jaws with a shape fit. Thereafter, the arm portion was fixed with rivet pins and locked by a locking mechanism.

[0056] To solder the hard metal inserts to the arm portion, the solder depot was filled up to the upper end with high-temperature nickel-based solder in accordance with EN ISO 17672 using a metering device or a syringe. Excess solder was removed.

[0057] Next, the surgical needle holder was suspended in a suspension device, particularly with the free ends of the distal holding jaws of the arm portion oriented upward. The needle holder thus suspended was placed in a hardening furnace.

[0058] Next, a high-temperature vacuum soldering process was performed in accordance with DIN 8593-7. As a result, what happened here was not only the soldering of the hard metal inserts to the arm portion of the surgical needle holder, but also, simultaneously, the hardening of the base or carrier material (stainless steel) of the instrument. The base or carrier material achieved a hardness of 42HRC to 50HRC.

[0059] Next, the free end including the solder deposit of the distal holding jaw was removed. The end was removed by breaking a predetermined breaking line, which was formed in the circumferential direction of the distal holding jaw and was formed between the free end including the solder deposit and the portion of the holding jaw that did not include the adjacent solder deposit.

[0060] Thereafter, the surgical needle holder was ground to ignore the differences due to the tolerances between the hard metal insert and the base or carrier material of the needle holder, and the remaining solder was removed.

[0061] Finally, a surface finish was applied to the surface of the surgical needle holder.

[0062] The following is schematically depicted in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0063]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0064] The surgical instrument 1 schematically shown in FIG. 1 is a surgical needle holder.

[0065] The surgical needle holder has a first arm portion 10 and a second arm portion 10' that are pivotally attached to each other at a joint point 20. Preferably, the first arm portion 10 and the second arm portion 10' are mirror images of each other.

[0066] Both the distal ends of the first arm portion 10 and the distal end of the second arm portion 10' each have holding jaws 30, 30' (so-called distal holding jaws). The distal holding jaws 30, 30' each have a hard metal insert 40, 40'. The hard metal inserts 40, 40' are each inserted into the recesses of the distal holding jaws 30, 30' in a form-fitting manner.

[0067] The proximal ends of the arm portions 10, 10' each have gripping portions 50, 50' in the form of finger openings.

[0068] A locking mechanism 60 formed by two locking arms 62, 64 is disposed between the distal holding jaws 30, 30' and the two gripping portions 50, 50'. The first locking arm 62 projects from the first arm portion 10 towards the second arm portion 10'. The second locking arm 64 projects from the second arm portion 10' towards the first arm portion 10. Thus, two locking arms 62, 64, and thus the surgical needle holder 1 can be latched or locked by a latch hook (not shown) attached to the first locking arm 62 and a latch hook 65 attached to the second locking arm 64. The latch hook of the first locking arm 62 and the latch hook 65 of the second locking arm 64 are designed such that a form-fitting lock is achieved when the gripping portions 50, 50' are pressed together. The latch hook may be, for example, a shark tooth shape.

[0069] FIG. 2 schematically shows a detailed view of the hard metal insert 40 and the distal holding jaw 30 of the surgical instrument 1 before completion shown in FIG. 1 in an unassembled state.

[0070] The hard metal insert 40 is preferably flat and preferably has a cross-shaped profile 41. Further, the hard metal insert 40 has a nose-shaped form-fitting portion 43.

[0071] The distal holding jaw 30 has a recess 31 that is complementary to the shape of the hard metal insert 40. A hollow solder depot 35 (see FIG. 3) is formed at the free end 33 of the distal holding jaw 30, and the outlet opening 36 of the solder depot 35 opens into the bottom 32 of the recess 31.

[0072] FIG. 3 schematically shows a detailed view of the hard metal insert 40 and the distal holding jaw 30 of the unfinished surgical instrument 1 shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled state.

[0073] The solder depot 35 is preferably in the form of an elongated or channel-shaped cavity extending axially of the distal holding jaw 30. At the end face 34 of the free end 33 of the distal holding jaw 30, the solder depot 35 has an inlet opening 37 for filling the solder depot 35 with solder.

[0074] For further features and advantages of the hard metal insert 40 and the distal holding jaw 30, reference is made in its entirety to the description regarding FIG. 2.

[0075] Finally, the advantages of the method according to the invention can be summarized again as follows. That is, by the near-net shaping method, it is already possible to manufacture the hard metal insert in a tool-dependent manner to have a matching outer shape and an enclosed chamfer.

Claims

Claim 1 A method for manufacturing a surgical instrument (1) for gripping and / or holding and / or guiding a needle, comprising: Step a) providing a first arm portion (10) and a second arm portion (10'), each of the first arm portion (10) and the second arm portion (10') having a distal holding jaw (30, 30') with a recess, and each having a solder depot at the free end of the respective distal holding jaw (30, 30'); said providing; Step b) inserting a hard metal insert (40) into the recess in the distal holding jaw (30) of the first arm portion (10), and inserting a hard metal insert (40') into the recess in the distal holding jaw (30') of the second arm portion (10'); Step c) joining the first arm portion (10) and the second arm portion (10'), the first arm portion (10) and the second arm portion (10') being pivotably attached to each other at a joint portion (20) in a joined state; said joining; Step d) filling the solder depot of the first arm portion (10) with solder, and filling the solder depot of the second arm portion (10) with solder; Step e) soldering the hard metal insert (40) inserted into the recess in the distal holding jaw (30) of the first arm portion (10) to the first arm portion (10) using the solder, and soldering the hard metal insert (40') inserted into the recess in the distal holding jaw (30') of the second arm portion (10') to the second arm portion (10'); and Steps b, c, and d are performed after step a, Step e is performed after steps b and d, each of the first arm portion (10) and the second arm portion (10') comprises stainless steel as a base material, when performing step d, the solder depots are each filled with the solder through an inlet opening formed in the end face of the free end of the respective distal holding jaw (30, 30'), the outlet opening of the solder depot opens to the bottom of the recess in the corresponding distal holding jaw (30, 30'). A method characterized by this. Claim 2 The method according to claim 1, wherein when step b is executed, the hard metal insert (40, 40') is inserted into the recess in the distal holding jaw (30, 30') with a form fit.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when step b is executed, the nose-shaped form-fitting section of the hard metal insert (40, 40') is inserted into the complementary area of the recess in the distal holding jaw (30, 30'), thereby being held with a form fit.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the solder deposits is in the form of an elongated cavity.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the cavity has an inner diameter of 0.3 mm to 2 mm and / or a length of 4 mm to 15 mm.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the solder used is nickel solder.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the nickel solder is selected from the group consisting of Ni600, Ni610, Ni612, Ni620, Ni630, Ni631, Ni650, Ni700, Ni710, Ni720, Ni800 and mixtures thereof.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when step e is executed, the solder exits from the outlet opening in the corresponding solder deposit.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening are arranged at an acute angle or perpendicular to each other.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a step f of removing the solder deposit after step e.

11. When step f is executed, each of the solder deposits is removed by breaking a predetermined breaking line or breaking point, The method according to claim 10, wherein each of the predetermined breaking lines or breaking points is formed between the free end of the distal holding jaw (30, 30') having the solder deposit and the solder deposit-free section of the distal holding jaw (30, 30') adjacent to the free end of the distal holding jaw (30, 30').

Images