Drill having radiographically visible depth indications
A drill component is provided that enables determining the drill component's insertion depth into bone via direct measurements. The direct measurements help provide more consistently accurate insertion depth measurements as compared to typical insertion depth measurement methods that indirectly determine insertion depth using cannulas outside of the bone. The determined insertion depth corresponds to an implant size or length that a surgeon should select for a procedure. The drill component includes a shaft having an insertion end that includes multiple indications or markings that are visible on radiographic or fluoroscopic images. From one or more captured radiographic or fluoroscopic images of the drill component advanced into bone, a surgeon may count a quantity of indications or markings of the drill component on the one or more radiographic or fluoroscopic images to determine the drill component's insertion depth into the bone.
1 . A drill component comprising a shaft having an insertion end including a cutting tip and a plurality of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications that are spaced from one another,
wherein each of the plurality of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications is at least one of: (1) a groove in the shaft, and (2) a first material having a higher density than a second material of which the shaft is constructed,
wherein the plurality of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications comprises a first group of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications, wherein the insertion end of the shaft further comprises a second group of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications that are spaced from one another, wherein the second group of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications comprises cross-holes extending through the shaft perpendicular to a long axis of the drill component.
2 . The drill component of claim 1 , wherein each of the cross-holes converges at a centered cavity in the shaft.
3 . The drill component of claim 1 , wherein adjacent radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications alternate between being one of the cross-holes and being the first material.
4 . The drill component of claim 1 , wherein the first group of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications is the first material.
5 . A drill component comprising a shaft having an insertion end including a cutting tip and a plurality of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications that are spaced from one another,
wherein each of the plurality of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications is at least one of: (1) a groove in the shaft, and (2) a first material having a higher density than a second material of which the shaft is constructed,
wherein the plurality of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications comprises a first group of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications, wherein the insertion end of the shaft further comprises a second group of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications that are spaced from one another, wherein the second group of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications comprises a plurality of dots or dashes around a perimeter of the shaft.
6 . The drill component of claim 5 , wherein adjacent radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications alternate between being one of the dots or dashes and being the first material.
7 . The drill component of claim 5 , wherein the first group of radiographically or fluoroscopically visible indications is the first material.