US4005527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Depth gauge
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-12-22
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Granted: 1977-02-01
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Expires: 1995-12-22
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph S. Wilson
- 👤 Charles E. Albright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/50; A61B6/505; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/72; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/002; G01B3/004; G01B3/02; G01B3/04; G01B3/22; G01B3/28; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/062; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/16; A61B2562/17; A61B90/39; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/912; Y10S606/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
166 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The depth gauge of claim 6 wherein said X-ray opaque sections are of lead and said X-ray transparent sections are of plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-01 | 1980-08-02 | 1981-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-01 | 1984-08-02 | 1985-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-01 | 1988-08-02 | 1989-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |