Surgical depth instrument having neuromonitoring capabilities
Inventors
Jacobs, Jordan N. • Wilson, Christopher • Rioux, Robert F.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11168966-B2
Publication Date
2021-11-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device configured to provide a faster and more accurate measurement of depths of holes for placement of bone screws and fastener for bone implant fixation procedures. The device includes a combination of a bone probe for physical examination of a hole drilled in a bone and a depth gauge member for determining a depth of the hole and providing digital measurement of the depth via a display on the instrument and/or via a wireless exchange of measurement data to a remote computing device, such as a tablet or smartphone. The device may further be connected to a separate neuromonitoring device and be used for nerve sensing and/or nerve stimulation by way of the bone probe. For example, the bone probe may include a conductive material such that the distal probe tip acts as an extension of the neuromonitoring device and may be used to sense and/or stimulate nerves.
Core Innovation
A device is provided for examination and measurement of a hole formed through a bone. The device includes a handle, a bone probe slidably disposed with respect to the handle, and a depth gauge member slidably disposed with respect to the handle. The bone probe comprises a distal end including an engagement surface shaped and configured to establish purchase with an exterior surface of bone adjacent to the hole.
The depth gauge member is independently slidable relative to the bone probe. A sensor is configured to generate an electronic signal indicative of a depth of the hole from the depth gauge member, based on distance between the handle and a depth-gauge distal end. The device can further include a digital display and wireless transmission to a remote device for presenting the electronic depth signal.
The bone probe is described as having a probing tip configuration for tactile inspection of drilled hole walls and localization of an exit point, and may include strain sensing to alert when the probe tip contacts a hole bottom. The depth measurement may account for plate or implant thickness to support evaluation of a screw pathway.
The device is also described as being compatible with conductive probe shafts and energy delivery, and as supporting neuromonitoring. An electrically conductive probe shaft can electrically couple a separate neuromonitoring device through a neuromonitoring port so that the probe tip acts as an extension for nerve sensing and nerve stimulation.
Claims Coverage
1 inventive feature set is claimed in the independent claim, centered on a handheld bone-hole examination and depth-measurement device using a bone probe with an engagement surface, an independently slidable depth gauge member, and a sensor that generates an electronic depth signal.
Handheld device with slidably disposed bone probe and independently slidable depth gauge member for hole depth examination
A device for examination and measurement of a hole formed through a bone, the device comprising: a handle; a bone probe slidably disposed with respect to the handle and comprising a distal end including an engagement surface shaped and configured to establish purchase with an exterior surface of bone adjacent to the hole; a depth gauge member slidably disposed with respect to the handle and independently slidable relative to the bone probe; and a sensor configured to generate an electronic signal indicative of a depth of the hole from the depth gauge member.
The independent claim coverage requires a handle, a bone probe with an engagement surface for purchase adjacent to the hole, an independently slidable depth gauge member relative to the bone probe, and a sensor that outputs an electronic signal indicative of hole depth based on the depth gauge member position.
Stated Advantages
Faster depth measurement.
More accurate depth measurement.
Safer screw pathway evaluation.
Reduced tissue irritation based on the described probing tip engagement features.
Documented Applications
Examination and measurement of a hole formed through bone for bone screw or fastener placement.
Neuromonitoring before and after screw placement, including nerve presence indication within or adjacent to a hole, and nerve sensing and nerve stimulation using the probe tip as an extension.
Spinal fusion surgery contexts, including pedicle screw placement.
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