PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001 ] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No.

2016905038 titled "AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL DEPTH GUIDE" and filed on 7 December 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an orthopaedic surgical depth guide. BACKGROUND

[0003] When used in orthopaedic surgery, a surgical depth guide provides a means for estimating a drilled tunnel length to facilitate selection of a screw of optimal length.

10004] While passing pins are disposable, known surgical depth guides are reasonably costly items which are intended to be reusable, and therefore require proper sterilisation before they can be used again.

10005] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

10006] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a body for a surgical depth guide, where the body is adapted to cooperate with a passing pin to fonn a depth guide assembly, and wherein the body is unitary, or comprises a single piece.

[0008] According to a further aspect, there is provided a surgical depth guide assembly comprising a body and a passing pin, where the body is adapted to cooperate with the passing pin to form the depth guide assembly, and wherein the body is unitary, or comprises a single piece.

[0009] In one form, the body is generally elongate and comprises a guide portion at a first end of the body, a first handle portion hingedly connected to the guide portion, a second handle portion hingedly connected to the first handle portion, and a gauge portion hingedly connected to the second handle portion, wherein in use, the body can be formed into a loop and the gauge portion slidably engaged with the guide portion so as to slide relative to the guide portion responsive to a squeezing together of the first and second handle portions.

[0010] In one form, when the body is looped, the first and second handle portions are biased away from each other by a biasing means.

[001 1 ] In one fonn, the biasing means is provided by the hinged connection between the first and second handle portions.

[0012] In one fonn, in an alternative, the biasing means comprises a spring element. Such a spring element could extend between the first and second handle portions, or between the gauge portion and the guide portion.

[0013] In one fonn, the body is integrally formed.

[0014] In one form, the body is moulded from a plastic material.

[0015] In one form, the body is moulded in a single moulding operation.

[0016] In one form, the guide portion is hingedly connected to the first handle portion by a first web portion, the first handle portion is hingedly connected to the second handle portion by a second web portion, and the second handle portion is hingedly connected to the gauge portion by a third web portion.

[0017] In one form, the body is formed from a single piece of a flexible metal strip.

[0018] In one fonn, the guide portion comprises a lengthwise extending channel.

[ 0019] In one fonn, the gauge portion comprises a distance scale extending therealong.

[0020] In one form, the distance scale commences and reads up from a proximal (i.e. hinged) end of the gauge portion.

[0021 ] In one form, the gauge portion comprises a lengthwise extending gauge body comprising a cross- sectional shape which is substantially constant throughout its length.

[0022] In one form, the gauge portion comprises a recess near to the proximal end thereof, which is sized and shaped to nestably capture an end loop of a passing pin. [0023] In one form, the guide portion comprises a lengthwise extending guide body comprising an elongate gauge guide channel extending lengthwise therealong from a proximal end thereof, until this meets an elongate pin guide channel extending lengthwise therealong from a distal (i.e. free) end thereof.

[0024] In one form, the pin guide channel comprises an uppermost opening.

[0025] In one form, in an alternative, the pin channel is closed over the passing pin.

[0026] In one form, the guide portion further comprises a through aperture sized and shaped so that the gauge portion can pass therethrough and into the gauge guide channel.

[0027] In one form, the gauge guide channel comprises a cross-sectional shape which is complementary to that of the gauge body, and which is sized to receive the gauge body with a sliding fit after this has passed through the aperture.

[0028] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method for assembling a surgical depth guide assembly comprised of a passing pin, and the above described body, the method comprising the steps of forming the body into a loop by threading the gauge portion through the aperture in the guide portion and into sliding engagement in the gauge guide channel.

[0029] In one form, the method comprises the further step of securing the passing pin to the body by inserting a loop of the passing pin into the recess in the gauge body, and a shank of the passing pin into the pin guide channel.

[0030] According to a further aspect, there is provided a body of a surgical depth guide, where the body is generally elongate and comprises a guide portion at a first end of the body, a first handle portion hingedly connected to the guide portion, a second handle portion hingedly connected to the first handle portion, and a gauge portion hingedly connected to the second handle portion, wherein in use, the body can be formed into a loop and the gauge portion slidably engaged with the guide portion so as to slide relative to the guide portion responsive to a squeezing together of the first and second handle portions.

[003 1 ] In one form, in an alternative, the body is made in pieces and assembled.

[0032] According to a further aspect, there is provided a surgical depth guide assembly comprising a generally elongate body comprising a guide portion at a first end of the body, a first handle portion hingedly connected to the guide portion, a second handle portion hingedly connected to the first handle portion, and a gauge portion hingedly connected to the second handle portion at a second end of the body, and a passing pin depending from the gauge portion, wherein in use, the body can be formed into a loop and the gauge portion slidably engaged with the guide portion as to slide relative to the guide portion responsive to a squeezing together of the first and second handle portions.

[0033] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

[0034] For ease of description, both a body and an assembly including the body is described below in its usual assembled position as shown in the accompanying drawings, and terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal etc., may be used with reference to this usual position. However, both the body and the assembly may be manufactured, transported, sold, or used in orientations other than that described and shown here.

[0035] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0037] Figures 1 and 2 are isometric views of a body of a surgical depth guide according to an embodiment;

[0038] Figure 3 is a front view of the body of Figures 1 and 2; [0039] Figure 4 is a top view of the body of Figures 1 and 2; [0040] Figure 5 is an end view of the body of Figures 1 and 2;

100411 Figures 6 and 7 are isometric views of a surgical depth guide assembly comprising the body of Figures 1 through 5; [0042] Figure 8 is a front view of the surgical depth guide assembly of Figures 6 and 7;

[0043] Figure 9 is a top view of the surgical depth guide assembly of Figures 6 and 7;

[0044] Figure 10 is an end view of the surgical depth guide assembly of Figures 6 and 7;

[0045 ] Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical depth guide assembly taken at A-A (refer Figure 4);

[0046] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical depth guide assembly taken at B-B (refer Figure 4);

[0047] Figures 13 through 15 illustrate stages of forming the body into a loop with the guide portion slidably engaged with the gauge portion;

[0048] Figures 16 and 17 illustrate how the surgical depth guide assembly can be used to make a depth measurement;

[0049] Figures 18 and 19 are isometric views of a body of a surgical depth guide according to a further embodiment;

[0050] Figure 20 is a front view of the body of Figures 18 and 19; [0051 ] Figure 21 is a top view of the body of Figures 18 and 19; [0052] Figure 22 is an end view of the body of Figures 18 and 19;

[0053 ] Figures 23 and 24 are isometric views of a surgical depth guide assembly comprising the body of Figures 18 through 22;

[0054] Figure 25 is a front view of the surgical depth guide assembly of Figures 23 and 24;

[0055] Figure 26 is a top view of the surgical depth guide assembly of Figures 23 and 24;

[0056] Figure 27 is an end view of the surgical depth guide assembly of Figures 23 and 24;

[ 0057] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical depth guide assembly taken at C-C (refer Figure 21 ); and [0058] Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical depth guide assembly taken at D-D (refer Figure 21 ).

[0059] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0060] Referring now to Figures 1 through 5, where there is illustrated a body 2 of a surgical depth guide according to an embodiment. The body 2 is generally elongate, and comprises a guide portion 4 at a first end of the body 2, a first handle portion 6 hingedly connected to the guide portion 4, a second handle portion 8 hingedly connected to the first handle portion 6, and a gauge portion 10 hingedly connected to the second handle portion 8 at a second end of the body 2.

[0061 ] In this embodiment, the body 2 is integrally formed in one piece, in an injection moulding operation, from a plastic material such as acetal. Accordingly, the guide portion 4 is hingedly connected to the first handle portion 6 by a first web portion 5, the first handle portion 6 is hingedly connected to the second handle portion 8 by a second web portion 7, and the second handle portion 8 is hingedly connected to the gauge portion 10 by a third web portion 9.

[0062] The gauge portion 10 of the body 2 comprises a lengthwise extending gauge body 20. The gauge body 20 comprises a cross-sectional shape which is substantially constant and trapezoidal throughout its length. The gauge body 20 comprises a top surface 22, and a pair of sides 24 of equal length at either side of the top surface 22, which taper towards each other as they extend from the top surface 22 to a bottom surface 26.

[0063] The gauge portion 10 comprises a distance scale extending along the gauge body 20. This distance scale commences and reads up from a proximal (i.e. hinged) end of the gauge body 20. For readability, a matching scale is provided on the top surface 22, and on both sides 24.

[0064] The top surface 22 of the gauge body 20 further comprises a recess 30 near to the proximal end thereof, which is sized and shaped to nestably capture an end loop 102 of a passing pin 100, so that the passing pin 100 depends from, and moves with the gauge portion 10 when the end loop 102 is so captured.

[0065] The guide portion 4 comprises a lengthwise extending guide body 40. An upwardly opening, elongate gauge guide channel 42 extends lengthwise along the guide body 40 from a proximal end thereof, until this meets an upwardly opening, elongate pin guide channel 44 extending lengthwise along the guide body 40 from a distal (i.e. free) end thereof.

[0066] The guide portion 4 further comprises a through aperture 46 sized and shaped so that the gauge portion 10 can pass therethrough and into the gauge guide channel 42. This aperture 46 passes through a bottom of the gauge guide channel 42 at a position near to where this transitions into the pin guide channel 44.

[0067] The guide body 40 comprises a nose portion 48 at the distal end thereof. The nose portion 48 extends around the pin guide channel 44, and tapers outwardly from the distal end thereof.

[0068] The gauge guide channel 42 comprises a cross-sectional shape which is complementary to that of the gauge body 20, and which is sized to receive the gauge body 20 with a sliding fit after this has passed through the aperture 46.

[0069] The bottom of the gauge guide channel 42 comprises a lengthwise extending guide slot, which separates a pair of side walls of the guide body. The guide slot is defined by a pair of side edges 50 of the side walls, and these side edges 50 taper inwardly from a bottom surface of the guide body 40.

[0070] Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, where it can be seen that the gauge portion 10 comprises a dovetail shaped pin portion 60 extending lengthwise along a portion of the bottom face 26, which is toward the proximal end thereof. This pin portion 60 is shaped to cooperate with the guide slot in the bottom of the gauge guide channel 42 to aid retention of the gauge portion 10 in the gauge guide channel 42.

[0071 ] In use, a surgeon will drill a hole in a bone and then seek a surgical depth guide to measure the depth (or length) of the hole so that a screw of appropriate length can be selected.

[0072] When required, the body 2 can be removed from packaging and formed into a loop by threading the gauge portion 10 through aperture 46 and into sliding engagement in the gauge guide channel 42, as illustrated in Figures 13 through 15.

[0073] With reference to Figures 6 through 10, it can be seen that the end loop 102 of the passing pin 100 is then inserted into the recess 30 in the gauge body 20, and a shank 104 of the passing pin 100 is received in the pin guide channel 44 of the guide body 40 with a snap fit. In this way, a surgical depth guide assembly 1 is formed. [0074] A pistol grip type handle for the surgical depth guide assembly 1 is fonned by the first handle portion 6 and the second handle portion 8. The first handle portion 6 and the second handle portion 8 are biased away from each other by a biasing means. This biasing means is provided by the second web portion 7 which hingedly connects the first and second handle portions 6 and 8, and acts as a spring. This second web portion 7 is designed to give a requisite amount of bias by careful selection of its sizing and geometry.

[0075] The surgeon then inserts the projecting shank 104 portion of the passing pin 100 into the hole, and uses a hook 106 on a distal end of the passing pin 100 to locate an edge of a distal end of the hole by hooking onto this edge. The surgeon then squeezes the first and second handle portions 6 and 8 together, as illustrated in Figures 16 and 17, until the nose 48 of the guide portion 4 contacts the bone at the proximal end of the hole. The surgeon then takes a reading at a reference marker RM on the guide body, which now indicates the depth d of the hole. In this way, the surgeon can select a screw of appropriate length.

[0076] Once the surgeon has finished, the surgical depth guide assembly 1 can be discarded (because of its low cost relative to known depth guides), negating the need for sterilisation, and eliminating a possibility for cross-infection, which may result from re-use.

[0077] Referring now to Figures 18 through 29, where there is illustrated a body 200 of a surgical depth guide according to a further embodiment. Those parts of the body 200 which are identical (or near- identical) to corresponding parts shown in the body 2 of Figures 1 through 17, will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail.

[0078] Body 200 differs from body 2 principally in that where the portions of the body 2 are hollowed out where possible to reduce the amount of plastic in the part, and thereby reduce cooling times and part cost, body 200 is not so hollowed out, making it heavier and slightly more robust.

[0079] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0080] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. [008 1 ] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.