Method and apparatus for using a surgical depth instrument

1. A method for measuring the depth of a hole with a first edge and a second edge, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning by hand a distal end of a first member of a measuring instrument against a first surface in which the first edge is formed;

positioning by hand a distal end of a second member against a second surface in which the second edge is formed, the first member and the second member being movably connected;

measuring an electronic signal that represents the distance between the first member and the second member; and

producing an output relative to the measured electronic signal for reading by a user;

wherein the second member comprises a sensor and a sealed housing, the sensor being contained within the sealed housing.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein producing the output comprises displaying the electronic signal as a numerical measurement of distance.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the step of positioning a distal end of a first member, the distal end of the first member comprises a portion selected from the group consisting of a barb, an indented hook, an optical sensor, and an electrical characteristic sensor, an ultrasonic transducer.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the step of measuring, the electronic signal changes in response to movement of a capacitor attached to the second member.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the step of measuring, the electronic signal changes in response to movement of an inductor attached to the second member.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealed housing comprises at least two sides shaped substantially symmetrically to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed use.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealed housing further comprises a display, and wherein producing the output comprises displaying the electronic signal as a numerical measurement of distance.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a tactile surface comprising ridges or bumps on the sealed housing to ensure a solid grip after exposure to solid or liquid contamination.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a side groove of the second member; and

moving the sealed housing along the side groove of the second member when positioning.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

detaching the first member from the second member; and

sterilizing the first member and the second member.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

wirelessly transmitting the electronic signal; and

wirelessly receiving the electronic signal by a receiver comprising a display.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein producing the output comprises displaying the electronic signal as a numerical measurement of distance on two separated displays located on opposite sides of a housing.

13. A method for measuring the depth of a hole with a first edge and a second edge, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning by hand a distal end of a first member of a measuring instrument against a first surface in which the first edge is formed;

positioning by hand a distal end of a second member against a second surface in which the second edge is formed, the first member and the second member being movably connected;

measuring an electronic signal that represents the distance between the first member and the second member; and

producing an output relative to the measured electronic signal for reading by a user;

wherein, in the step of positioning a distal end of a first member, the distal end of the first member comprises a portion that is an optical sensor;

the method further comprising:

detecting where a distal surface terminates by measuring a differential of an optical reflectivity or transmissivity of surrounding tissue at the distal end.

14. A method for measuring the depth of a hole with a first edge and a second edge, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning by hand a distal end of a first member of a measuring instrument against a first surface in which the first edge is formed;

positioning by hand a distal end of a second member against a second surface in which the second edge is formed, the first member and the second member being movably connected;

measuring an electronic signal that represents the distance between the first member and the second member; and

producing an output relative to the measured electronic signal for reading by a user;

wherein, in the step of positioning a distal end of a first member, the distal end of the first member comprises a portion that is an ultrasonic transducer;

the method further comprising:

detecting where a distal surface terminates by measuring a differential of an acoustic reflectivity or transmissivity of surrounding tissue at the distal end.

15. A method for measuring the depth of a hole with a first edge and a second edge, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning by hand a distal end of a first member of a measuring instrument against a first surface in which the first edge is formed;

positioning by hand a distal end of a second member against a second surface in which the second edge is formed, the first member and the second member being movably connected;

measuring an electronic signal that represents the distance between the first member and the second member; and

producing an output relative to the measured electronic signal for reading by a user;

wherein, in the step of positioning a distal end of a first member, the distal end of the first member comprises a portion that is an electrical characteristic sensor;

the method further comprising:

detecting where a distal surface terminates by measuring a differential of an electrical characteristic including resistivity of surrounding tissue at the distal end.

16. A method for measuring the depth of a hole with a first edge and a second edge, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning by hand a distal end of a first member of a measuring instrument against a first surface in which the first edge is formed;

positioning by hand a distal end of a second member against a second surface in which the second edge is formed, the first member and the second member being movably connected;

measuring an electronic signal that represents the distance between the first member and the second member; and

producing an output relative to the measured electronic signal for reading by a user;

wherein the second member comprises a sensor and a sealed housing, the sensor being contained within the sealed housing;

the method further comprising:

coating an inside of the sealed housing with a conductive paint thereby shielding electronics and connectors located within the housing.

17. An instrument for measuring the depth of a hole with a first edge and a second edge, the instrument comprising:

a first member insertable in the hole, the first member comprising a portion positionable against a first surface in which the first edge of the hole is formed;

a second member coaxial with the first member, the second member comprising a portion positionable against a second surface in which the second edge of the hole is formed and a sensor that generates an electronic signal that varies in relation to a distance between the first member and the second member; and

a user interface coupled with the second member, the user interface including a housing, a display on a surface of the housing that displays an indicia relative to the electronic signal;

wherein the second member comprises a sensor and a sealed housing, the sensor being contained within the sealed housing.

18. The instrument of claim 17 , further comprising a second display on a second surface of the housing that is opposite to the surface having the display, at least one of the display and the second display displaying an indicia relative to the electronic signal.

19. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the portion of the first member positionable against the first surface is selected from the group consisting of a barb, a hook, an indented hook, an optical sensor, and an ultrasonic transducer.

20. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the sensor of the second member comprises an element selected from the group consisting of a capacitor and an inductor.

21. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the first and second displays are electronic displays for displaying information representative of the distance measured by the sensor.

22. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the sensor of the second member is contained within a sealed housing.

23. The instrument of claim 22 wherein the sealed housing comprises at least two sides shaped substantially symmetrically to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed use.

24. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the first member further comprises a mating surface and the second member further comprises a complementary mating surface slidably engaged with the mating surface of the first member.

25. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the first member and the second member are slidably detachable to facilitate sterilization.

26. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the portion of the second member positionable against the second surface comprises a tissue guard.

27. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the sensor is connected to a wireless transmitter.

28. An instrument for measuring the depth of a hole with a first edge and a second edge, the instrument comprising:

a first member insertable in the hole, the first member comprising a portion positionable against a first surface in which the first edge of the hole is formed;

a second member coaxial with the first member, the second member comprising a portion positionable against a second surface in which the second edge of the hole is formed and a sensor that generates an electronic signal that varies in relation to a distance between the first member and the second member;

a wireless transmitter associated with the second member having an output that transmits information related to the generated electronic signal; and

a wireless receiver that is positioned away from the second member and receives the transmitted information, the wireless receiver comprising a display for providing measurement data to a user of the instrument;

the second member comprises a sensor and a sealed housing, the sensor being contained within the sealed housing.

29. The instrument of claim 28 , further comprising:

an audio output that receives information related to the generated electronic signal and transforms the signal into an audio signal related to the distance between the first member and the second member.

30. The instrument of claim 29 , wherein the audio signal comprises a beep.

31. The instrument of claim 30 , wherein the audio signal comprises a simulated voice that conveys the distance between the first and second members.