Depth gauge

• US 4,005,527 A
• Filed: 12/22/1975
• Issued: 02/01/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles E. Albright, Ralph S. Wilson
• Original Assignee: Charles E. Albright, Ralph S. Wilson
• Inventors: Albright, Charles E., Wilson, Ralph S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US05/643,307
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 33/111, 33/113, 33/169 B, 33/174 D, 128/2 A, 128/92 R, 128/92 EB, 250/312
• US Class Current: 606/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/72 Intramedullary pins, nails or other devices A61B17/744 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00902 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/17 Comprising radiolucent components
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/505 for diagnosis of bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/004 Scales; Graduations
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/04 rigid
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/28 Depth gauges
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/912 Radiolucent material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener

Abstract

A depth gauge includes a number of alternating sections of material which are X-ray transparent and X-ray opaque, respectively. The sections are carried in an elongated cylinder, and are each of a predetermined known length. The depth gauge is insertable into a hole or cavity to be measured, and viewed with X-ray techniques, from any angle. The number of sections of X-ray transparent and opaque material being within the hole, as seen by the X-ray techniques, indicate the depth into the hole which the pin is inserted. In one embodiment, a drill point is included on the end of the elongated cylinder to enable the depth gauge to be used additionally as a drill, so that depth to which the drill has cut can be monitored during the drilling process, if desired.

Claims

1. A gauge for measuring the depth of a hole, comprising:

a plurality of elongated sections of material opaque to X-rays, each of known length dimension, and

a plurality of elongated sections of material transparent to X-rays, each of known length dimension,

said X-ray transparent sections being alternatingly carried with respect to said X-ray opaque sections, whereby when the depth gauge is inserted into the hole, the depth of which is to be measured, it can be viewed with X-ray techniques from any angle, the dimensions of the X-ray opaque sections and the X-ray transparent sections presenting an indication of the depth to which it is inserted by said X-ray opaque and transparent sections and further comprising an elongated sleeve into the interior of which said X-ray opaque sections and said X-ray transparent sections are implaced.

2. The depth gauge of claim 1 wherein said plurality of X-ray opaque sections are of lead, and said plurality of X-ray transparent sections are of plastic.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said X-rays opaque sections and said X-ray transparent sections are each of length of about 0.125 inch in length.

4. The depth gauge of claim 1 further comprising spring means contained within the interior of said sleeve to facilitate thermal expansion of said X-ray opaque sections and said X-ray transparent sections.

5. The depth gauge of claim 1 further comprising a drill point carried on said sleeve at one end thereof,

whereby the depth gauge can drill to a desired depth, be X-rayed, and the depth determined.

6. A depth gauge for measuring distances of holes formed into bones in surgical operations, comprising:

an elongated sleeve having an interior cavity formed axially therewithin;

a plurality of sections of X-ray opaque material, and a plurality of sections of X-ray transparent material, alternatingly implaced within said interior cavity;

first means for enclosing said interior cavity at one end thereof;

second means for enclosing said interior cavity at another end; and

resilient spring means within said interior cavity adjacent an end thereof to facilitate thermal expansion of said X-ray opaque and said X-ray transparent sections without deformation of said sleeve;

said first enclosing means, said X-ray opaque sections, and said X-ray transparent sections all being of predetermined length, whereby when the pin is inserted into a hole preformed in a bone, and X-rayed from any angle, the distance which said gauge extends into the bone can be determined by the number of X-ray opaque and X-ray transparent sections disclosed by said X-ray to be within said bone.

7. The depth gauge of claim 6 wherein said X-ray opaque sections are of lead and said X-ray transparent sections are of plastic.

8. The depth gauge of claim 6 wherein said X-ray opaque sections and said X-ray transparent sections are each of length of about 0.125 inch.

9. The depth gauge of claim 6 wherein said first enclosing means comprises a drill point axially aligned with said sleeve to enable said sleeve to form a drill structure.