（1.Wuhan Documentation and Information Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, China）（2.School of Journalism and Publishing, Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Beijing 102600, China）
Because of the excellent mechanical, optical, electrical, thermal, acoustic and biological properties, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) materials play an important role in the field of superhard cutting tools. Based on the Derwent Innovation Index database, the general development situation, regional distribution, comprehensive strength of patentees, research hotspot and core patent of PCD superhard cutting tools worldwide were analyzed by using ITGInsight, a literature analysis tool. The research hotspots of PCD superhard cutting tools were emphatically analyzed, including descriptors distribution, descriptors evolution and patentees cluster based on descriptors. Finally, according to the patents which were protected in multiple regions or involved in litigations, the core patents were filtered and analyzed. The results show that the technologies related to PCD superhard cutting tools have been mature. Although China has received the most patent applications, foreign enterprises, such as US SMITH INT INC, US BAKER HUGHES, US SYNTHETIC and Luxembourg ELEMENT SIX, are still as the leading enterprises worldwide. And, the concerned technologies of these giants are quite different.