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US007444756B2
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: Us 7,444,756 B2
Kim (45) Date of Patent: *Nov. 4,2008
(54) SURGICAL DEPTH INSTRUMENT
(75) Inventor: John Y. S. Kim, Chicago, IL (US)
(73) Assignee: Eidosmed LLC, Chicago, IL (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
(21) Appl.No.: 11/657,176
(22) Filed: Jan. 23, 2007
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2007/0119063 Al May 31, 2007
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation of application No. 11/081,147, filed on Mar. 16, 2005, now Pat. No. 7,165,336.
(51) Int. CI.
A61B 5/107 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 33/512
(58) Field of Classification Search 33/512,
33/783, 784, 679.1 See application file for complete search history.
4,033,043 A 7/1977 Cunningham
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4,708,647 A 11/1987 Pippin etal.
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6,279,248 Bl * 8/2001 Walters 33/784
6,494,848 Bl 12/2002 Sommercorn et al.
6,508,012 B2* 1/2003 Wells, Jr 33/784
6,665,948 Bl 12/2003 Kozinetal.
7,165,336 B2* 1/2007 Kim 33/512
2003/0047009 Al 3/2003 Webb
2006/0041241 Al 2/2006 Herndon
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
WO WO 00/78258 Al 12/2000
WO WO 2005/027745 Al 3/2005
* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner—Christopher W Fulton
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
(57) ABSTRACT
A depth gauge for measuring the depth of a hole in a bone is disclosed having a digital readout for providing the measurement to a surgeon. The depth gauge has a probe with a tip inserted into and positioned proximate to the depth the hole, and has a reference member adjustably positioned relative the probe and against the bone proximate the hole. A measuring device is provided with the depth gauge for measuring the relative distance between the tip and the reference member, and the measuring device has a large, digital display for providing the relative distance.
6 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
